RUBY TUIT - 'I feel very lucky extremely & GRATEFUL'

Opening up about her tumultuous childhood and meteoric rise to sporting stardom, the Black Ferns gem reveals how her book healed her fractured family, the moments that still bring a tear to her eye and why she's not taking a single thing for granted.

-  SOPHIE NEVILLE

After years of being overlooked and undervalued, women’s sport is finally enjoying the recognition and respect it has always deserved here in Aotearoa. The huge crowds, thrilling matches and moments of pure, unbridled joy on display when we hosted the Rugby World Cup and FIFA Women’s World Cup are clear proof of that.

And no player is more synonymous with those moments of joy than the inimitable Ruby Tui, the rugby player who has quickly become one of our best known and most idolised sporting personalities. Not only has she helped propel the game she loves into the spotlight, but she’s also earned herself a legion of fans for her wicked sense of humour and contagious zest for life.

But ask this Kiwi-Samoan star what it’s like being famous and she erupts into laughter. “Famous?! Oh, I don’t know about that, bro. Nah, I’m not famous!”

But Ruby is pretty famous and right now it feels like everyone wants a piece of her. When she arrives at our photoshoot, her trademark red-streaked hair pulled back into a loose ponytail, even members of the Weekly team – usually unfazed by celebrities – have arrived with shirts and items for Ruby to sign. “There’s just something about her,” whispers one. And she’s right – there is something about Ruby. Everywhere she goes, she’s stopped for selfies, chats and autographs, and even her agent’s email has an automatic response politely explaining demand is such that there’s a waitlist for interviews and engagements.

Ruby might not think she’s made the A-list, but there’s no denying there’s something a bit rockstar about her. “There is definitely a whole lotta love going on right now,” concedes the Black Ferns star.