Tui receives new RWC medal

Black Ferns star Ruby Tui now has another gold medal around her neck after giving hers away during the Rugby World Cup final at Eden Park.

Tui was presented another gold medal by former Black Ferns captain and recent Rugby Hall of Fame inductee Fiao’o Fa’amausili at the World Rugby Awards in Monaco.

The 30-year-old gave away her medal to a young fan named Lucia who recently recovered from leukaemia.

She said she was surprised people found out about her act of kindness as it was just a ‘‘moment with my mate’’.‘‘She’d just been through a pretty hard battle with her family. I met her dad. It was super inspiring,’’ she told the World Rugby Awards crowd. In return Lucia gifted Tui a bead, which children receive during treatments.

‘‘She actually gave me her biggest bead that represents bravery. So this is my gold medal now, and I wouldn’t have it any other way,’’ Tui said.

It’s the second major award for Tui, who won women’s sevens player of the year in 2019. She said it was ‘‘so cool’’ to receive her replacement World Cup medal from ‘‘absolute inspiration’’ Fa’amausili.