Straight Up

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For her education, Tui first attended Wellington South Kindergarten and then Kilbirnie Primary School. [8] Her first exposure to sport was playing football for the Island Bay Hammerheads. Following the success of the World Cup Tui didn’t return to playing for the Sevens team for the remainder of the 2022-23 season. I’m not ashamed to admit it: I HAVE A HUGE GIRL CRUSH ON RUBY TUI so this review might be a bit bias.

Her memoir Straight Up was the bestselling book in New Zealand in 2022, and Ruby's brilliant rugby skills and amazing personality won the hearts of New Zealanders, culminating in her shortlisting for the New Zealander of the Year. In 2012, the New Zealand Rugby Union organized a "Go for Gold" campaign to identify talent with the potential to represent New Zealand in the Sevens competition at the Rio Olympics. [22] I had this internal guilt, I couldn't talk to anyone about it. I had no safe spaces at that time so it ate away. But after talking about, accepting it and releasing that guilt and shame [I realised that] sometimes these things happen.

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They did try to love him. I heard from my aunty that when Grandma died she said to Grandad, You have to look after my son, Vaki. But Dad was always arguing with his family because he had been through so much, and I think that because he rejected his family’s love, I got that little bit of extra love from them — like I got his share too. I got away with heaps, and I really felt that. A theme that constantly arises with Tui is her purpose. She feels a deep sense of responsibility – in life, relationships, rugby and commercial partnerships. Ruby Tui with the Rugby World Cup - won in an extra-tense final against England. Photo / Hannah Peters, Getty Images Does rugby need more personalities? I believe it needs more support. In New Zealand, it was only in 1995 when men’s rugby went professional. Prior to that, the boys were similar to us. They are really scrutinised by the media and have learnt the hard way. I don’t think it’s wise of us as women coming through to disregard the learnings they’ve had. It’s about not losing sight of who we are, but still remembering we have a responsibility to be role models. That’s what we’ve got to remember: not to pretend to be something we’re not or be all zipped up and private – but role models.”

We were just smiling at each other and not really saying anything, and Dad said to me, Do you want to hang out with her after she finishes work? Of course I was like, Oh yes please! She loved commentating on Super Rugby Aupiki for Sky TV this year, but it was hard not being on the field. She adored travelling to Hong Kong and Singapore and the challenge of calling the international games on the World Sevens circuit. So she’s not ready to retire yet; she’s had great advice from the likes of mentor Keven Mealamu and the rugby players’ association.

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An example: “Our team is a waka and we leave mana in our wake.” And another: “It’s not your skin colour, your salary or any of that stuff that makes you great; it’s your fight, it’s your work ethic.” I’m fortunate to have that kind of relationship with myself that I’m not scared of the day that I say no. She accepts her “crazy” high profile. “I’ve really got to stand next to those who champion our sport, and that’s within New Zealand Rugby itself.”