Straight Up

by Ruby Tui

This is Ruby Tui. An open, raw and honest account of her journey from a troubled and unstable childhood, searching for a better option in life, to Olympic champion and the world's best rugby sevens player.

After a childhood filled with neglect Ruby yearned for another path. Determined not to let her upbringing limit her, she survived abuse, drugs and tragedy to become one of the most successful women's rugby players in the world.

The explosion of women's rugby on the global stage has matched the rise of Ruby's stellar career, as she has grown with the game from amateur to professional.

In Straight Up Ruby looks herself in the eye, understanding that she can turn pain into purpose.

It's time to be straight up.

#1 Best-selling Book!

Genres: Nonfiction, Biography, Sports, Memoir, Autobiography, Biography Memoir, Audiobook

365 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 27, 2022

About the author

Ruby Tui is a professional rugby player and a bestselling author. She won an Olympic gold medal in 2021, an Olympic silver medal in 2016, a Rugby World Cup Sevens title in 2018 and a Rugby World Cup title in 2022.

Her memoir Straight Up was the bestselling book in New Zealand in 2022, and Ruby's brilliant rugby skills and amazing personality won the hearts of New Zealanders, culminating in her shortlisting for the New Zealander of the Year.

She was named Black Ferns Sevens Player of the Year in 2017 and World Rugby Sevens Player of the Year in 2019. Transitioning to the 15s game in 2022, she won the inaugural Super Rugby Aupiki competition with the Chiefs Manawa and then made her debut for the Black Ferns, helping them win the 2021 Rugby World Cup (played in 2022). She was also named World Rugby 15s breakthrough player of the year.

Off the field, Ruby is a regular commentator for Sky TV and is passionate about promoting healthy environments for Kiwi kids and speaking up about mental health within the sporting community. Creating change through speaking out on public issues, and demonstrating motivation and gratitude to her peers, is how she would like to leave her mark. Ruby is the current ambassador for the HeadFirst initiative and KidsCan.

Reviews

[Carol, She's so Novel ꧁꧂ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hmmmm, interesting

This memoir by Kiwi Rugby Sevens player Ruby Tui & NZ singer Stan Walker's memoir Impossible: My Story employed the same ghostwriter, Margie Thomson. & both books to me feature an amazing theme of the ability to forgive people in their childhoods who have done them both a great wrongs.

Until just before this book was published, most people didn't know the truth of Ruby's childhood. I'll leave it for you to discover in this book - other than at the end there is just the slightest tinge of bitterness when she says;

"...even my Dad's choice of alcohol above anything else in his life, including me..."

Ruby could have chosen to have her life take a very dark turn - but she didn't. She worked like a dog to get a university education & discovered rugby gave her a sense of belonging that no other sport did. Even after training and hard, physical work she remained small, but her speed, determination & team spirit made her perfect for rugby sevens & her personality should give her a media career long after she retires from this sport.

The section I found most fascinating was her candid discussion (I don't think Ruby does any other kind of discussion!) of her own sexuality & her refusal to be put in any kind of box. This will make me look at sexuality in quite a different way & is totally in keeping with Ruby's wonderful free spirit.

I think Ruby will succeed in what ever she puts her mind to - & I hope that she writes the next installment of her memoirs on her own. The only other Kiwi sport memoir that I have ever enjoyed was Jeremy Coney's The Playing Mantis & I hate cricket even more than I hate rugby! This book is unique among Kiwi sports star memoirs in that Coney wrote it himself.

Part of her motivation for writing this book came from a visit to her local bookshop.

I stood in the sports section, and I searched and searched. I pulled out book after book, but there wasn't a single biography on a Kiwi female in the whole section. I eventually found an autobiography of Billie Jean King, a famous white American tennis player who did amazing things, but that was it.

I pictured a young brown female sportsperson walking in there and seeing herself nowhere, not belonging in the book world. My eyes welled up right there in the bookshop. I have to do this.

I'll just finish with a You tube clip that shows why Kiwis (even rugby haters like me!) love Ruby Tui.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JvdvE...

Ruby is awesome!

https://wordpress.com/view/carolshess...

[Caffeinated Weka · Rating 4 out of 5]

I knew Ruby Tui and her family when she was a pre-schooler and sometimes babysat her while her dad was at band practice with us. Ruby was bright, intelligent and chatty even as a 3-year-old and I always wondered what became of her until seeing her star starting to shine in the sporting world. Straight Up is a sobering read, raw and honest without exaggeration. Congratulations on all you have achieved, Ruby. We are so proud of you.

[Josephine Langmead · Rating 5 out of 5]

Straight Up the best biography I've ever read

Like so many other Brits I was captivated by Ruby's Better Be Cool interview, and have followed her ever since. A breath of fresh air I thought this would be an interesting read. Wow. Captivated from start to finish I had to force myself to put the book down. An inspiration to all. I have so much respect for this lady. I watch on to see what wonderful things she will achieve next.

[Gabrielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ruby Tui was reluctant to write this but then she went to a bookstore to find a book by any other woman in sport and eventually found one about Billy Jean King but otherwise it was men everywhere. And take it from me as a specialist on the topic of men’s memoirs - 90% of these men in sport are incredibly mediocre.

So this is the best sports memoir I’ve read. It isn’t actually perfect by a long shot (bit too long, bit too sports psychology) but it is always enjoyable and interesting to get Ruby’s take, even on the pretty big traumas she experienced as a kid.

One thing tho - she once pretended she was okay when she had mumps and it became so bad she was hospitalised. Moral of the story don’t pretend you’re well and don’t need help just because you would prefer to be well and not need help.

[hugsandcookies · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don’t normally read memoirs but this one brought me laughs and tears

No words can describe how far she’s come and what she has gone through to achieve her goals and now I think she’s an amazing person who doesn’t give up.

[Kimberley Oosterbeek · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ruby's journey from a traumatic childhood to becoming a gold-medal-winning rugby player is an incredible one - but it is her perspective and 'greatitude' that are truly inspiring. Her voice is a breath of fresh air and I straight up loved this book.

[Georgina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eddie bought me this book because I was enjoying the RWC so much & watching Ruby. She’s super authentic in this, I really liked it. She has been through it and is such a star. Bloody loved the use of ‘frick’, ‘frigg’ and ‘heck’ in it a lot too.

[Lynda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Earlier this year I reviewed Farm for Life by Tangaroa Walker and practically every word I said in that 5 star review, I could apply to this truly inspirational, delightful autobiography. Ruby is known to most New Zealanders for her exuberant larger than life personality and huge talent. This book tells how this very nearly didn’t happen, how she could have gone in a totally different direction but, like Tangaroa, something inside her guided her and led her out of a world of abuse, alcohol and drugs. Like Tangaroa, she had a driving force, in this case her passion for sport and especially rugby. Like T she accepted guidance from people who could help her grow. She had the intuition to seek the right sort of help and she did find it from her Samoan and palagi heritage in spite of the obstacles in her path. A clearly very intelligent, empathetic, determined young woman, Ruby’s story is absolutely in her own words and her personal voice. I was riveted. I also have a background in sport (including rugby) so found the game descriptions very alive. The book ends before her fantastic 2022 success. Perhaps a sequel will follow?

[Zar · Rating 4 out of 5]

The success of this book is that it felt like could hear Ruby talking to you as you read. Courageous story with a lot of quiet bravery, determination and grit. I think some of the more traditional autobio bits (like the handy tips, titles and advice) took away from the more real parts of the story. You can also tell Ruby is super positive, which at times is quite a jarring tone for some of the harder parts of the read. Overall though really liked the sections on her growth in the game and LOVED the reflection at the end re. the lack of autobiographies of female and poc (esp Māori) sportspeople. I’m normally pretty sus of celebs getting book deals but I think it’s so true that if they’re going to get them anyway, it’s these less represented voices we want to hear and see the most

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

There’s a reason I prefer reading people’s life stories over fiction - sometimes, you just can’t make up what people have actually been through. Reading all the twists and turns of Ruby’s childhood, knowing she ends up as an Olympic gold medallist and Rugby World Cup champ… if that was in a novel, it might seem too much. But in Ruby’s personable and authentic tone, we live those moments with her and realise what she’s been through to arrive where she is now, both on and off the field.
The world’s her oyster, and I reckon the next phase of her life will make for a good book too!

[Reading Lady Molly · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars !

I was asked to read this book by my partner, who picked it off my shelf for me because he saw Ruby in a tiktok with Miriam Margoyle.

I am not into sports, but I have followed Ruby's journey in rugby and have especially been intrigued by her personality in media.

One of my highlights of this autobiography is that Tui did not sacrifice her personality to write this book. Ruby is authentically herself. She isn't afraid to use phrases like "that's so buzzy" and descriptions like "egg." It felt like you were really in Ruby's head or having a casual conversation with her. There was something comfortingly kiwi about this.

Growing up, it was common to look up to sports role models. Mine were the Everswindell twins, Beatrice Faumuina, Irene Van Dyk, and Valerie Adams. I haven't ever read a book by those women, but now that I have read this book, I would say that Ruby Tui has the makings of an inspirational role model.
Her outlook on life, her optimism, her humility and her tremendous empathy is endearing !

Not only does Ruby tell her story, but she also kindly treats the reader with messages of wisdom, which she calls "Ruby's training bag."

What an enlightening read !

[Francesca Pashby]

Oooh, I'm all excited by rugby now!

I read this because a pupil at school dressed as Ruby for Book Week, so I wanted to know what inspired this. Turns out Ruby is VERY inspirational!

From tough beginnings with an alcoholic father, and a mother who made a bad choice with her next bloke, Ruby somehow stumbled through this rough beginning and found herself through her love of people and sport. She obviously has mental fortitude to match her physical courage, and reading as someone who knows remarkably little about rugby/sevens, I found her autobiography to be interesting and inspiring (yes, I am now following her on Insta, plus watching old footage on YouTube!).

Also, shout out for the insight into Samoan culture, plus the completely unremarkable fact that she has a female partner, so Rainbow rep too. Yay!

[Samantha · Rating 5 out of 5]

‘An open, raw and honest account of her journey from a troubled and unstable childhood, searching for a better option in life, to Olympic champion and the world’s best rugby sevens player.’ This is exactly what this book is. It is Ruby Tui and it absolutely takes you on her journey. I found it exactly as quoted above, open, honest and raw as well as a thought provoking read and I hope others find this book as inspiring as i did. I hope this is the beginning of female athletes sharing their stories with the world.

[Angharad · Rating 5 out of 5]

I haven't read many autobiographies so rating one seems really strange, almost like I'm rating a person. But obviously Ruby is 5* and what she has given in this book is also pure 5* wisdom, motivation and poignancy. Her mahi is astounding, though she consistently champions those around her who have supported and helped to develop who she is. My favourite part of the book may have been the chapter in which she writes about each of her 'seven sisters' with such respect and admiration - wāhine all the way.

[Miriam · Rating 4 out of 5]

What an incredible woman, a true overcomer of adversity! Interesting timing to read alongside all the women’s football + equity issues surrounding the World Cup. Casual but great story teller, would be wrong for it to be told in anyone else’s voice. I thought the army training bit was cooked.

[Emma Gilpin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really good! Remarkable story of perseverance but written in such a kiwi, taking the piss, kind of way

[Jordan Joly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this, straight up

[Casey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick read - amazing head on her shoulders and inspiration for all NZers, rugby lovers or not, female or not.

[Sophie Dixon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another audiobook with Kirsty! The first half of this was incredible, the second half I found more repetitive and preachy. Overall I really enjoyed learning more about someone I knew very little about, who stands for so much.

[Margaret Pidhirny · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved her grit and dedication but admit to skimming the rugby game descriptions ! was more interested in her passion and commitment after a ghastly childhood to become an aspiring young woman I enjoyed it.

[Katrina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book and all the more so because I was not expecting to. Rugby memoirs are NOT my thing! But I'm so glad I picked this up. Ruby Tui is a deeply thoughtful person with hard won wisdom to share. I especially loved her take on being bicultural and how that has contributed to her empathy and ability to see things from another angle. She's cool.

[Karen Ross · Rating 3 out of 5]

You can't but love a person with a name like Ruby Tui. Her pathway to day has been rocky, its interesting reading about the complication of being 'not white enough, or not brown enough'. A lot of her story is a all too familar narrative here in Aotearoa. This is not to diminish it rather to ask why does this keep on happening?

I love that each chapter finishes with Ruby's Training Bag a quote or thought from Ruby eg

If I wnat somthing I've got to work for it. I can rely on myself
Now is the time to start living lije your're going to make it
I reach out to everyone who can possibly help me when I'm feeling down
Set things up in the good times so that those tools are ready for you in the tough times
Ecen when something seems absolute, ther will be another way of looking at it
Keep adding tools to your tool-belt so you can be a better resoure for yourself and the world.

Sometimes a cliche but mostly an inspiration. We are going to give tis book away to young people doing the Award in our Christmas giveaways.

This is a story with a happy ending. A Kiwi story we can all draw warm feeelings from

[Justine Krynen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed this honest and upfront insight into Ruby’s life story. Especially enjoyed the training bag tips and quotes. Well worth a read.

[Holly Walmsley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Straight up - what a fitting title. There are so many layers to this autobiography just like there are to Ruby’s journey and it’s so refreshing to read through them in such an honest and reflective way. Ruby gives us an insight into her early life that fills me with such awe of her and her family. It also makes me feel so grateful she has written it down and shared it so we can use her story to start a conversation about those hard topics or even to gift her book to give others hope if they feel they’re sleeping in a metaphorical grave with spiders. The way she describes her experiences of the different teams she has been in and the highlights and lowlights of her rugby career so far has been such an eye opener. I felt like I got to know her team mates through her as well. Thank you Ruby for sharing this part of your story so far - looking forward to your future and the future of all those you have inspired ❤️

[Maryam · Rating 5 out of 5]

I caught the bug of women’s rugby for the first time while watching the Rugby World Cup 2025, and what better way to understand the lore of specifically New Zealand’s women’s rugby than this autobiography. It became evident that this was but a snapshot, as Ruby gives credit to the leaders who came before and paved the way for her journey.

I came for the sport history, however also gained nuggets of wisdom from “Ruby’s training bag” at the end of every chapter. Mental fitness, perseverance, bringing your entire self to whatever you do - it was just the kind of read I needed at a moment of reset in my own life.

Highly recommend the audiobook to get an incredibly intimate retelling of her story.

Up the Black Ferns Sevens, Black Ferns Fifteens and chur to the bro Ruby Tui 🖤

[Kristy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am in awe. I already knew she was a determined rugby player that was happy and enthusiastic but reading her story I am absolutely moved and beyond excited about what her experiences, words and wisdom can pass onto our tamariki.

Her life as a child is humbling and sad and inspirational. And I loved how she portrayed her Samoan culture and side of the family. The best example of explaining their thinking I've read.

I was surprised that I enjoyed Reading about her training more. Her mindset and motivation are so impressive and matter of fact.

This is a brilliant book for everyone to read and an absolute right for all New Zealanders, rugby lovers or not, I'd guarantee everyone will take away lots of life-changing tips and thoughts.

My best book of 2022 easily!!!!!!!!

[Amanda Hardy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Definitely ‘straight up’ - a raw and heartfelt journey with life’s challenges. Loved reading this and came away with so much more admiration and respect of this fabulous human. She lives by her values and has endured many tough times but her resilience and love of life and the people around her is incredibly strong. Thank you Ruby for sharing your story 🙏💕🙏

[Nicole Lloyd · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a raw and honest book about all of Ruby’s experiences, right from childhood, all the way through to winning gold in Tokyo.
Love her values of love, greatitude and communication - particularly greatitude and not only saying that you are grateful, but SHOWING that you are.
An absolute legend and inspiration.

[Jonathon Hagger · Rating 5 out of 5]

The title of the book says it best - Straight Up.

No gimmicks, no fancy stuff, no beating around the bush.

Just straight up honesty.

[Tillsssss · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would recommend this book to someone who has been through a lot of trauma and doesn’t know where their place is, because Ruby Tui explains so well in this book that she thought she would never find her place, but as she goes through her life, she explains how she did find it. Ruby was always a sporty kid who got involved, but none of the other kids were Samoan. The immediate barrier between her and some other kids was inevitable because of their different cultures. The kids already had a small separation, while maybe not even knowing it. Once Ruby got into rugby in university, she immediately realised how different and uplifting that world was compared to any other sport. Netball, there’s no back up for you if you did something wrong because there is only one player per position. Rugby, if you miss a tackle, all goods! There are a couple of other people to patch it up. Netball, you get a point and move on to start the next one. Rugby, you celebrate for as long as you want before going again. “When you rocked up to a women’s club thing, it didn’t matter your size, it didn’t matter where you came from, didn’t matter who you were - you were another number for the team.” shows that she immediately felt the camaraderie, and support from these women she had never met. When you truly find your place, you’ll know, because you will feel like you belong and feel like you will never get sick of being there straight away. Finding our place doesn’t even come by finding it, it comes after the obstacles, mis-interpretations, and when you least expect it. When you feel like you're in the place where you can let out the breath being held in, wear your hair however you want, and you just want to get back there, that’s when you know you’re where you’re supposed to be. “By the time I was twelve, I’d been to six different schools, so socially I had to kind of figure out how to talk to people pretty quick.” s
shows that Ruby tried to fit in everywhere because of the different worlds she was in. She had so many sports and so many different friend groups going on but still couldn’t seem to get there. Moving schools is something a few people go through and is hard to imagine if you haven’t. With all of Ruby’s significant life events, on top of it all she had to keep making friends and keep up her personality, whether it was easy for her or not. It would have been exhausting everyday to go to school and maybe not make any progress and have to come back to an abusive home. It’s part of why Ruby is so resilient. Between hopping through schools, between mum and dads’ environments and going through different sporting teams, she needed a solid medium to eventually find her place, and that is doing the things we enjoy. By having a base to build blocks on, like making memories, it can help us have a fuller life but not only that, have a sense of belonging. We need to remind ourselves that good things will come to those who wait and our place will be there waiting there to discover us after taking charge of making it easier by making memories. Ruby had grown up playing netball, which was a toxic environment compared to rugby when she joined. Not many people liked her at the start because she was Samoan, and didn’t have much money, so when she forgot shoes or didn’t have the right ones, the rugby girls were happy to lend theirs! She thought that it was amazing how accepting the rugby girls were. She just knew that when she got there she was going to have life-long friendships. Moving between schools and trying to fit in was hard, but by doing the things she enjoyed, she eventually found that that was how she was going to fit in for however long she was going to be there. Ruby just gave things a go, and she knew that by doing the fun things, whether she had friends there or not, that she would at least have a distraction and some fun. When we enjoy what we do, it doesn’t seem like work at all, so if you do things that you enjoy, you could make a living from it. We have to enjoy what we do, because if there isn’t a break at home, we can escape.