They met through mutual friends when Tevita was studying for a degree in public relations at Massey University in Palmerston North and Milner-Skudder was making a name for himself in the green and white tramline strip of the Manawatu Turbos.
It wasn't love at first sight, Tevita conceded.
"It definitely wasn't fireworks. I don't think we were too fond of each other when we first met. It definitely took a bit of time.
I think we were both a bit hesitant."
Her 24-year-old beau's breakneck rise into the most famous team in world rugby was surreal and awesome. "I'm very, very proud."
Tevita, who has remained in New Zealand, watched the All Blacks' opening Cup match against Argentina, including Milner-Skudder's try-ending fumble. But she knew he wouldn't dwell on the error.
"He has a good head on his shoulders. I knew it would get him down a little bit, but there's not much you can do about it now, and you've just got to move on and learn from it."
The couple speak to each other every day, and he was enjoying his first trip to Europe, Tevita said.
She will travel to London for the Cup final at the end of next month, but will only be away for a week.
Now working part-time as a university research assistant and studying towards a masters degree in management and a graduate law degree, Tevita will squeeze the trip in between end-of-year exams.
But it won't be long before the pair enjoy a well-deserved break together - they're hoping to get away at the end of the year, with Hawaii the likely destination.
She wasn't expecting to return from the tropics with a ring - yet.
"I definitely don't think it would be coming that soon as 21 is too young. I don't think we've thought that far ahead. With everything going on right now, his mind's on rugby and mine's sort of on uni and work, but who knows what's on the cards?
"We'll have to wait and see."
