Ruben Love remembers a time when he thought of All Blacks as “mythical creatures” – rarely seen but regularly talked about and televised.
Now on the other side of that equation, Love has made a point of putting himself out there.
Towards the latter stages of the 2025 season, the 24-year-old put an invitation out on social media for fans to join him for some fitness work. He’s not the only All Black to have put such an offer to the public, but said it was a move inspired by his view of those who wore the black jersey when he was growing up.
“I remember growing up that if I had the chance to go for a run with some of my heroes, then I would have driven hours – or asked my Mum and Dad to drive me hours. It’s huge and another way that I look at it is if it gets someone off the couch that wouldn’t necessarily run on their own but it brings them together in a group, it’s only good for their wellbeing and mental health,” Love said.
“Selfishly bro, I’m getting my work in anyway, so if no one turned up, I would still go as hard as I would. But it’s just like, you know, if there’s one kid that was like me when I was growing up that wants to come run with myself and then you get out there and get some work in. There’s nothing big to it, no hidden agendas or nothing, just get out there and get the work done.”
Getting out there and getting the work done was something of a theme throughout Love’s 2025 campaign, with his opportunities in the black jersey limited to just two starts – four months apart – and two appearances off the bench.
That came off the back of a Super Rugby Pacific season in which Love was thrust into the No 10 jersey after spending much of his professional career at fullback. It was a move that worked for Clark Laidlaw’s side, coinciding with the side going unbeaten in their final six regular-season fixtures before ultimately being beaten by the ACT Brumbies in the quarter-finals.
Though his time on the field for the All Blacks in 2025 was limited, Love saw the positives in the situation.
“You learn a lot in those sorts of environments under those coaches and players. Just seeing what’s required for international-level rugby, it’s allowed me to bring more things in my game back to Super Rugby and also help the boys that are coming through as well,” he said.
“You’ve just got to be patient. You still learn a lot and you still train every day and get better. I’m still pushing myself as hard as I would as if I’m starting every game. There’s nothing different for me there, it’s just being able to support the boys and do whatever the group needs from me to win and being part of the All Blacks is such a privilege. I just want to see the team succeed and just play my part.”
Coming into his sixth season with the Hurricanes, Love shapes up to be a key part of the capital side’s core in 2026 with his shift to first five-eighths looking like a more permanent move.
The Hurricanes also welcome back test midfielder Jordie Barrett after his sabbatical in Ireland last year, while All Blacks halfback Cam Roigard has re-signed with the team until the end of 2029.
Speaking of the pre-season, Love said he had been training at first receiver and anticipated to pull on the No 10 jersey when the season got underway in mid-February. The side also have Brett Cameron, Callum Harkin and Lucas Cashmore in the first five-eighths ranks, while Harry Godfrey was ruled out for the season due to an ACL injury.
“I wish I could play a lot of positions,” Love said.
“If I had my choice, I’d probably play flanker with Dupes [Du’Plessis Kirifi], but it’s up to the coaches. I’ve been training at 10 and growing up I was always a 10. I know I’ve played a lot of 15 in recent times, but I really enjoyed 10 last year and that’s where I look to stay.”
In terms of his All Blacks prospects, Love might need to impress a new coaching panel after New Zealand Rugby and coach Scott Robertson parted ways.
The decision to move on from Robertson came as a surprise, following an end-of-year review process, but Love said it didn’t change a whole lot to how he approached the season ahead.
“New coach means new squads, they see the game differently, they probably want different cattle in their squads,” he said.
“Nothing changes for me. I’ve just got to wait for my skill and time to collide and just do the best I can for Super Rugby and the Hurricanes.”
Christopher Reive joined the Herald sports team in 2017, bringing the same versatility to his coverage as he does to his sports viewing habits.