Ruby Tui is named women’s breakthrough 15s player of the year!

After the Black Ferns star gave away her winner’s medal to a young leukaemia survivor during the Rugby World Cup final she has been given a new World Cup winners medal to go with her breakthrough players gong claimed at the World Rugby Awards in Monaco today.

Tui had met the young fan, 11-year-old Lucia Hurst, at a fan engagement event before the final. Lucia had followed the Black Ferns throughout the entire World Cup and told Tui her dream was to become a Black Fern. Lucia’s father had told Tui of his daughter’s recent cancer battle.

The moment stuck with the 30-year-old, so as she celebrated her side’s historic 34-31 victory over England on the field, she spotted the young fan in the crowd and placed her World Cup winners medal around her neck. She said she was surprised people found out about her act of kindness as it was just a “moment with my mate”.

Black Ferns great Fiao’o Fa’amausili was on hand at the 2022 World Rugby Awards to give Tui a new winner’s medal. Tui was also named women’s breakthrough 15s player of the year.

Other Black Ferns finalists included Maiakawanakaulani Roos for breakthrough 15s player of the year, Sylvia Brunt for women’s try of the year and Ruahei Demant and Portia Woodman were up for women's 15s player of the year.

It’s the second major award for Tui, who won women’s sevens player of the year in 2019.

Tui said it capped off a whirlwind week. “It’s amazing to be here. It’s been a whirlwind. I’m so proud of New Zealand,” Tui said. “It’s such an honour to win this award at 27 and a half years old. I think I’ve set the record for oldest rookie in 15s, but hey I’ll take it.”

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