Black Ferns star Ruby Tui won't play in SR Aupiki, but will commentate - report

Black Ferns star Ruby Tui is set to swap out her rugby boots for a microphone during this year’s Super Rugby Aupiki campaign, according to a report out of New Zealand.

Women’s rugby in New Zealand reached new heights last year, following the inaugural Aupiki season and a ground-breaking Rugby World Cup.

The Black Ferns captured the hearts of a rugby-mad nation like never before, as they dared to dream of an epic World Cup crown on home soil.

After a momentous year for women’s rugby in New Zealand, fans are undoubtedly eager to see many of their favourite Black Ferns take the field in Super Rugby Aupiki this year.

Well, most of them at least.

While some of the nations favourite players will feature in the competition, including co-captain Ruahei Demant, an icon of the champion team will not.

As reported by Stuff, Tui will not play in the second instalment of the competition after playing for the Chiefs Manawa last year.

Instead, Tui’s manager Dan Sing told the New Zealand-based publication that the World Cup winner will be commentating the competition with Sky Sport.

According to Sing, Tui is “super excited” about commentating the competition, and is yet to make “any key decisions” regarding her playing future.

“I’m sure it will be well received by viewers having that level of insight into the depth of talent in the competition,” Sing told Stuff.

Tui has been a household name on the Sevens World Series circuit for quite some time now, but only made her Black Ferns debut last year.

Ahead of the World Cup, the outside back donned the coveted black jersey for the first time in the longer format of the game – and she didn’t skip a beat.

After starring for the champion Black Ferns throughout their World Cup run, Tui was named World Rugby’s Breakout Player of the Year.

Tui was also included in World Rugby’s dream team of the year, alongside teammates Ruahei Demant, Theresa Fitzpatrick and Portia Woodman-Wickliffe.

In sevens, Tui won an Olympic gold medal in Tokyo a couple of years ago, and also won the World Cup in San Francisco in 2018.