In the swirling arena of New Zealand rugby, where legends are born and pressure can crush the brightest prospects, Ruben Tamati Love has emerged not only as a gifted athlete but as a story of resilience, determination, and quiet brilliance. His journey is not defined by the easy victories, but by the setbacks he has overcome and the faith he has shown in himself when the road looked uncertain.
From Palmerston North to the National Stage
Born in Wellington in April 2001, Ruben grew up surrounded by rugby’s heartbeat. His father, Matene Love, once wore the Māori All Blacks jersey, and the family’s connection to the game runs deep. But Ruben was never just a rugby prodigy — he was a rare dual-sport talent, equally gifted with bat and ball on the cricket pitch. In fact, he became the first New Zealander to be selected for both the Māori Under-18 rugby team and the Māori cricket side.
At Palmerston North Boys’ High School, he wore both the First XV rugby jersey and the First XI cricket whites, proof of his versatility and natural athleticism. Yet, even as scouts took note, he nearly walked away from rugby entirely. One season he didn’t even sign up, choosing cricket instead. His father famously drove him not to cricket nets but to a rugby field, pushing him back into a game he would soon discover was his true calling. That moment of parental intervention may well have changed the direction of New Zealand rugby.
Breakthrough and Early Struggles
Love’s rise was swift. By 2020, he was playing for Wellington in the NPC. Soon after, he was signed by the Hurricanes in Super Rugby, and his natural pace, vision, and versatility caught the attention of selectors. But with success came challenges.
Ruben has had to deal with significant injuries — an ankle issue that ultimately required surgery, and a painful groin tear that affected everything from sneezing to laughing. Lesser athletes may have bowed out under the strain, but Ruben chose to push forward, playing through pain, rehabbing relentlessly, and keeping his eyes locked on the bigger picture.
These were the fires that shaped him — not the accolades, but the recovery rooms, the lonely gym sessions, the mental battles to believe in his comeback.
The All Blacks Call
In October 2024, the work paid off. Ruben Love made his All Blacks debut against Japan. Coming off the bench, he scored two tries — an explosive reminder that sometimes the greatest tests prepare us for the greatest stages. It was a dream debut, but also a glimpse of his potential: a player capable of seizing the biggest moments.
Since then, he has added further caps for New Zealand, as well as experience with the Māori All Blacks and the All Blacks XV. At just 24 years old, he has already built a record of consistency: over 40 appearances and more than 120 points for the Hurricanes, and the same volume of games for Wellington with even higher scoring contributions.
More Than Stats: Character, Resilience, and Drive
But numbers tell only part of the story. What makes Ruben stand out is not just his ability to kick, pass, or run. It’s his mindset. He describes himself as “happy but not satisfied” — a reminder that success isn’t a finish line, it’s a platform to grow from.
He’s grounded by family, by his Māori heritage, and by mentors within the Hurricanes like TJ Perenara, who has praised Ruben’s maturity and willingness to learn. He listens, adapts, and gives back. These are the hallmarks not of a temporary star, but of a future leader.
An Example for Every Dreamer
Ruben Love’s story is a living reminder that setbacks are setups for comebacks. That the pain of injury, the doubts of choosing between passions, the uncertainty of role and position — none of it has stopped him. Instead, it has shaped him into someone who not only plays rugby at the highest level but does so with humility and fire.
For young athletes, for anyone chasing a dream, his journey teaches us this:
Don’t give up when the path bends unexpectedly. Trust those who see more in you than you see in yourself. And most importantly, remember that greatness isn’t measured only in trophies, but in the resilience to rise every time life knocks you down.
The Road Ahead
Ruben Love is signed with New Zealand Rugby through 2028. That means the rugby world will see his story unfold over the next critical years — years where he could cement himself as a mainstay of the All Blacks, inspire the next generation, and prove that true worth is not only about talent, but about character.
For elevateME readers, his life is more than a sports biography. It’s a story of courage, discipline, and persistence. It’s proof that even when life tests you with pain and doubt, you can still rise to leave a mark on the world.
Ruben Love is more than a rugby player. He is a symbol of perseverance. He is a reminder that every setback is a setup for something greater. And he is proof that when you keep faith in the journey, you can rise from the field of struggle into the field of greatness.
