Black Ferns v Australia
- Kick-off: 4:30pm Saturday 12 July
- Sky Stadium, Wellington
- Live blog updates on RNZ
Ruby Tui loves the Black Ferns and would do anything to see them succeed.
The 33-year-old missed selection when Black Ferns coach Allan Bunting named his squad in May for the Pacific Four series, but she played in the trial game between the Black Ferns and a Black Ferns XV last weekend.
She was then called into the squad as injury cover.
She's been named on the bench for Saturday's O'Reilly Cup game against Australia, which kicks off the double header in Wellington before the All Blacks take on France.
Ruby Tui in action for the Chiefs Manawa. Photo: Photosport
The 2022 World Cup star said she was always ready if the Black Ferns called.
"That's what I've said to Bunts all along… if you need someone to clean the boots and run the water, that's me. I love footy and I love this team."
And she never gave up on playing for the Black Ferns again.
"Day or night, whenever the phone call comes, if it's 2am, I'm there. You can't call pinnacle events, I got the bloody mumps for Comm Games, random stuff happens, so I've just got to put my head down and stay ready for this jersey," Tui said.
The outside back would love to attend another World Cup, but she insisted she wouldn't mind if she missed out on selection.
She said if she was not one of the top players in her position, she shouldn't go to England.
"It feels different for me, this one. I don't feel no pressure," Tui said.
"I want the best squad to go over there. I want off-field to be so connected, we understand this is going to take everything.
"Everybody is getting paid now, it's not tiddlywinks no more, its pretty serious. If its me, its me, I just hope everyone who straps in, is like 'we're going to do something pretty serious'."
Black Ferns coach Allan Bunting. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Bunting said Tui's presence and experience were valuable assets for the Black Ferns.
"Off the field is massive and her leadership... her attitude through the hubs back home and the Black Ferns XV when she was with them last week and what she's done when she's come back here, I've been really impressed with her."
Saturday's clash with Australia is the Black Ferns' final test before this year's World Cup in England, with Bunting naming his World Cup squad on 25 July in Wellington.
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