Ruby Tui's response to World Cup omission earns praise of teammates

Fan-favourite Ruby Tui’s name may not have been read out at the Black Ferns’ Rugby World Cup squad naming on Thursday, but that didn’t stop the 2022 world champion from joining the festivities.

The 33-year-old’s presence was not felt in front of the camera, but the women who did take to the stage to be celebrated as New Zealand’s finest were applauded by a crowd featuring one of New Zealand’s most charismatic stars.

The former Black Ferns Sevens ace was the talk of the rugby world at the 2022 Rugby World Cup, with her press conferences and media antics drawing as much interest as her on-field highlights, of which there were many.

Tui’s 2025 form has been anything but poor, and while her Chiefs Manawa missed out on another Super Rugby Aupiki final berth, their star winger claimed a competition-high six tries.

That wouldn’t be enough to earn selection in the Black Ferns’ Pacific Four Series squad, though, with game-breaking duo Katelyn Vaha’akolo and Ayesha Leti-I’iga joined by teenage sensation Braxton Sorensen-McGee, utility back Mererangi Paul, and the iconic Portia Woodman-Wickliffe, who came out of international retirement to compete for a place at the upcoming Rugby World Cup.

Tui had one more chance to impress selectors when she was named to start for the Black Ferns XV in their clash with the Black Ferns in Whangarei, which was labelled as a ‘trial match’. Tui kept her impressive try-scoring run going with two five-pointers in a blowout loss.

With that impressive showing, she landed herself another Black Ferns cap for the Laurie O’Reilly Cup Test against Australia. Coming off the bench in the 64th minute, Tui scored yet again.

And yet, at Thursday’s team naming, Black Ferns coach Allan Bunting described Tui’s omission as a “millimetres” call. One player who did earn a recall after missing PacFour selection was Tui’s Chiefs Manawa running mate, Renee Holmes.

The fullback was overjoyed to see Tui had made the trip to Wellington to show her support for the selected squad.

“Her showing up today is a true testament to her character and the person she is,” Holmes said.

“I don’t think a lot of players would be in this room today if they weren’t selected, but she’s amazing, the whole world knows it.

“She would do anything for the game, and it’s pretty cool to have her here.”

Of the five outside backs selected in the PacFour Series squad, the lone change for the World Cup squad was Holmes taking the place of Mererangi Paul. The change offers the Black Ferns an experienced hand at fullback alongside 18-year-old Sorensen-McGee.

Addressing Tui and her fellow omissions, Bunting had a special message.

“I said that last week was tough; it was tough,” the coach said, referring to the calls made last week to deliver the selection news to the players.

“We’ve got some ladies who have just missed out on this team, so just from everyone here, we just want you to know how much you’ve given this team and helped with the growth. And our love and prayers are with you.”