Cult hero surprised with medal after beautiful act

1 year ago 61

They accidental 1 bully crook deserves different and Ruby Tui got her conscionable reward astatine the World Rugby Awards successful Monaco.

The New Zealand rugby prima has go a planetary sports smash deed for her infectious property and positivity and again she took centre signifier again astatine the glitzy ceremony.

Tui, who overcame a traumatic puerility to go an Olympic and satellite champion, emulated Sonny Bill Williams successful gifting her Rugby World Cup winner's medal to a young instrumentality in the throng astatine Eden Park connected November 12.

Watch Wallabies vs Wales and Springboks vs England this Sunday connected the location of rugby, Stan Sport. All matches streaming ad-free, unrecorded and connected demand

But an adjacent much heartwarming backstory emerged arsenic it was revealed that the recipient, Lucia, was a leukaemia subsister who had met her leader Tui astatine a instrumentality engagement lawsuit during the tournament.

And just arsenic they had with Wallabies large Justin Harrison, World Rugby presented Tui with a replacement medal aft she had accepted an grant for breakthrough women's subordinate of the year.

"She'd conscionable been done a beauteous hard conflict with her family," Tui said of Lucia.

Kiwi cult leader leads assemblage into song

"I met her dad. It was ace inspiring. She really gave maine her biggest bead that represents bravery. So this is my golden medal now, and I wouldn't person it immoderate different way."

Black Ferns legend Fiao'o Fa'amausili past took the signifier with the replacement medal.

"685 baby!" Tui said, referencing Samoa's country code.

Sean Maloney and Morgan Turinui instrumentality to delve into each the Autumn Nation Series results arsenic good arsenic reviewing the RWC qualifying results and World Rugby Awards

"I'm truthful blessed close now. That was a truly chill surprise. Thank you truthful much."

Tui's mentor, Wayne Smith, was named World Rugby's manager of the twelvemonth aft upsetting England successful the World Cup final.

Smith masterminded a singular turnaround successful conscionable 7 months, winning each 12 of his Tests aft inheriting a squad astatine a debased ebb.

'The Professor' described it arsenic the item of his wildly palmy coaching career.

"At the commencement it was similar taking the granddaughter and each her champion friends to Disneyland," Smith said.

"They were excited, joyful, noisy, and past they each recovered the courageousness to hop connected the rollercoaster."

2022 WORLD RUGBY AWARDS WINNERS

World Rugby Women's 15s Player of the Year – Ruahei Demant (New Zealand)

World Rugby Men's 15s Player of the Year – Josh van der Flier (Ireland)

World Rugby Coach of the Year – Wayne Smith (New Zealand Women's 15s)

World Rugby Men's Breakthrough Player of the Yearr – Ange Capuozzo (Italy)

World Rugby Women's Breakthrough Player of the Year – Ruby Tui (New Zealand)

World Rugby Men's Sevens Player of the Year – Terry Kennedy (Ireland)

World Rugby Women's Sevens Player of the Year – Charlotte Caslick (Australia)

World Rugby Referee Award – Tappe Henning (South Africa)

Vernon Pugh Award for Distinguished Service – Dr Farah Palmer (New Zealand)

International Rugby Players Special Merit Award – Bryan Habana (South Africa)

International Rugby Players Men's Try of the Year – Rodrigo Fernandez (Chile vs USA)

International Rugby Players Women's Try of the Year – Abby Dow (England, vs Canada)

For a regular dose of the champion of the breaking quality and exclusive contented from Wide World of Sports, subscribe to our newsletter by clicking here