Tui: Growing pro options ‘exciting’
The return of the Warriors to the NRLW adds to the ever-expanding pathways available to women who want to pursue a professional sporting career, Ruby Tui says.
The Warriors women’s team will return for the first time since the 2020 NRLW season next year, and the Herald reported the team’s return has piqued the interest of some who currently or formerly featured in the 15 and seven-a-side codes.
Tui, who will run out for the Black Ferns in their first test of the year, against the United States in Hamilton this afternoon, has been a key member of the national teams in both rugby codes, and said the return of a professional league team would only be good for future athletes.
“What interests me is the landscape of professional sportswomen in today’s era. It’s really exciting,” Tui said. “When I grew up, it was Silver Ferns or nothing. Now, it’s Silver Ferns, Black Ferns, Black Ferns Sevens, Warriors, AFL.
“More that intrigues me is what does that mean for the Black Ferns? We’ve got to go up in our pathways in Aupiki, we’ve got to go up with our standards in the team, so if anything, all that league movement just makes us focus inward.”
Tui is unsigned beyond 2024 and said conversations are ongoing but she did not want to comment further, with the Black Ferns on the brink of a return to action.
The 2024 campaign shapes as pivotal in the World Cup preparations for the defending champions, with the Pacific Four series kicking off today before a test against England at Twickenham, as well as the WXV tournament later in the year.
That all doubles as key preparation for the World Cup in England next year, with the Black Ferns getting an indication of the level they need to reach after being well-beaten by England in the final round of last year’s inaugural WXV 1.
Tui will be among the more experienced campaigners in the Black Ferns squad to face the US, with three debutants named and 11 in the matchday 23 having played fewer than 10 tests.
Lock Mai aka wan ak au la niRoos, one of 11 who featured in the Black Ferns’ 2022 World Cup triumph, said the make-up of the group was an indication of what the management team wanted to achieve this season.
“The way that selection is going is building towards [the World Cup]. We’re looking at getting more depth in the squad,” Roos said.