sport news New Zealand star Ruby Tui hails the rise of the Black Ferns ahead of World Cup ... trends now
With a streak of red in her hair, a magnetic personality and the ability to cause carnage on the field, Ruby Tui is a player who is redefining what is possible for women's rugby.
The front cover of Tui's new autobiography stares back at you in every bookshop and airport lounge around New Zealand. Her profile is huge in the rugby-mad nation and is just as high as her men's compatriots like All Blacks superstars Beauden Barrett and Ardie Savea.
On Thursday her and the Black Ferns had dinner with New Zealand prime minister Jacinda Ardern. The politician even took part in a Twitter video with Tui.
New Zealand rugby star Ruby Tui has hailed the rise of the Black Ferns ahead of their Rugby World Cup final against England
On Saturday morning, New Zealand's Black Ferns - with Tui in their ranks - will look to cause an upset and end England's 30-match unbeaten run in their World Cup final clash at Eden Park.
Asked how New Zealand's women's rugby has grown out of sight in the last six months, Tui's response was predictably outside the box. She said: 'I'm obviously funny, right? It's very cool.
'In 2010 nobody knew who the Black Ferns were. We were told we would never be paid. We were told we'd never play at Eden Park.
'We were told women's rugby didn't matter. And now here we are 12 years later and Eden Park's sold out. It's a really, really special moment.
'Kiwis are normally so laid back we are lying down but we've finally got up.'
The prop said their game was a 'really special moment' with Eden Park sold out
Tui moves in celebrity circles in New Zealand and has five tries at this World Cup.
But her story has had its ups and downs.
In Straight Up, she tells the story of a traumatic childhood which began in Wellington and ended with her parents splitting up. She moved south with her mother and her new partner, who was abusive. Tui witnessed the violence in her new home and had to care for her brother.
Her dad was also an alcoholic. Tui was with her father while he dealt drugs and tried methamphetamine at the age of just 10. She saw a young woman die of an overdose and, most worryingly of all, attempted suicide herself when only 11.
Tui defied that to make it as a rugby professional.
If she delivers against England then Simon Middleton's Red Roses could end up in trouble.
England stand in their way of World Cup glory after they saw off Canada in the semi-finals
Whatever happens, Tui's sheer force of will means she is one of women's rugby's biggest assets as the female game looks to continue to grow. The fact Auckland's Eden Park is sold out for the final is
