New Zealand rugby sevens star Ruby Tui is going viral after a larger than life post-match interview at the Tokyo Olympics.
Tui was called over for a chat by the BBC’s Jill Douglas after the Black Ferns beat Russia Olympic Committee 36-0 to reach the semi-finals.
It was magic – pure personality.
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“BBC – better be clear!” Tui began with a beaming, cheeky grin, before being asked what she thought of the Russian team. She began by speaking Maori, then gave her thoughts in English.
“Russia, they are very cool people, man. We get on with them, very lovely people.
“But on the field, they are bloody tough. They’re a tough, tough team and to be honest, they weren’t at the last Olympics so this is huge for them. Massive congratulations to Russia, thank you so much.
“I don’t want to say the score made it look easy but it was not easy. Don’t be fooled! That was not an easy game, lots of running. My GPS just blew up, that’s how hard it was! lots of respect for Russia.”
Tui was also asked her thoughts on the Great Britain team, which would normally compete as separate unions.
“I love how GB come together, ay,” she said.
“They all split up but then for the Olympics [come together] … it’s funny because in the scrum, they’ll probably hate me saying this, sorry Abbie [Brown], but when they go down, they go, ‘England!’ Like they’re real proud to be England but they can’t do it here, so Abbie’s gotta go, ‘GB!’ when she goes down.
“Everybody comes together. Scotland have got a couple of really good players in there. Welsh, obviously, [Jasmin] Joyce is bloody gas. Gassed a couple of us, even.
“I love the whole concept of GB and like I said, huge congratulations to Great Britain and all the people of that place, because they fundraise, they worked hard, they campaigned. I think even a couple of us donated and they ended up at the Olympics. So huge, huge mahi … big job, sorry, mahi means job.”
Douglas went to end the captivating chat, telling Tui that she’d been told to wrap things up due to impending rain.
“What rain? Bring on the thunder!” Tui said.
“We’re at the Olympics, just be happy. Let’s compete safely and peacefully. Peace and love. Love you guys.”
Douglas replied: “We love you too, Ruby. Good to see you.”
She then remarked as Tui walked off: “There you go. Ruby. Fantastic.”
Tui responded on Twitter to one of multiple viral clips of the interview, writing: “Thanks … having a blast here in Tokyo.”
New Zealand will play Fiji in the semi-finals on Saturday, while Great Britain face France. The medal matches will be played on Saturday night at Tokyo Stadium.
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