Ruby Tui ends retirement doubts by signing for Trailfinders Women after social media teases

Ruby Tui has joined Trailfinders Women, the New Zealand wing confirming her return to club rugby after weeks of cryptic social media posts that hinted she had not yet finished with the game.

The 34-year-old Black Ferns star, a Rugby World Cup 2021 winner, told The Telegraph that she needed convincing from two of the sport’s biggest names before committing. “My friends Portia Woodman-Wickliffe and Meg Jones helped me — they really had a massive input on making the decision,” Tui said. “They probably don’t know that, but I wanted to reference them in the videos on purpose because I think Portia is the greatest rugby player that has ever played the game and Meg is currently the best player in the world, so two people to listen to.”

Tui’s signing caps a busy summer of recruitment for Barney Maddison’s Trailfinders, who finished as PWR runners-up last season after a 52-14 defeat to Saracens in the final at the Twickenham Stoop. The West London club have been building with clear ambitions of becoming a regular presence in the play-offs.

Tui brings considerable pedigree to the squad. Before establishing herself as a 15-a-side international, she was part of a Black Ferns Sevens outfit that dominated the global circuit, winning Rugby World Cup Sevens and Olympic Games titles. In June she returned to 15-a-side action for the first time in almost a year, playing for the Barbarians against Wales at Allianz Stadium.

Scotland playmaker Helen Nelson and two-cap England wing Bo Westcombe Evans have also committed to Trailfinders this summer, alongside former Harlequins lock Teya Ashworth, who joins after a stint in Canada. England internationals Abi Burton and Haidee Head, Scotland’s Lisa Thomson, Wales’ Carys Cox, and Ireland full-back Niamh Gallagher have all re-signed for another season.