Black Ferns wing Ruby Tui can now celebrate her World Cup win with a new winner's medal after she was named World Rugby breakthrough 15s player of the year at the World Rugby Awards night in Monaco.
The star outside back gave her winner's medal away to a young Black Ferns fan Lucia, who had recently recovered from leukaemia, following her side's final win over England at the Rugby World Cup in Auckland. Surprising the 30-year-old, World Rugby presented Tui with a new medal on Monday morning [AEDT].
A very special belated #RWC2021 medal ceremony for @rubytui
— World Rugby (@WorldRugby) November 20, 2022
The @BlackFerns superstar gave her original winner's medal to young fan Lucia, who recovered from leukaemia, after the final. So we got her a new one...#WorldRugbyAwards pic.twitter.com/gaeuBsLuGx
Speaking on stage after she was awarded her trophy, Tui revealed Lucia gifted her 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.
Tui was nominated alongside teammate Maia Roos for the title, while Wayne Smith was named coach of year and Black Ferns co-captain Ruahei Demant was awarded women's 15s player of the year. Sylvia Brunt was nominated for women's try of the year.
Australian sevens star Charlotte Caslick took out the women's sevens player of the year award, while Engand's Abbey Dow received the women's 15s try of the year title for her length of the field effort against Canada in the World Cup semifinal.