New Zealand had more reasons to celebrate than just their bronze medal on Saturday, as their youngest Black Fern Braxton Sorensen-McGee was announced as World Rugby’s Breakthrough Player of the Year 2025.
The award aims to honour the player who has excelled in their debut season of international rugby, and who is sure to shape the game for years to come. Sorensen-McGee is the true embodiment of these requirements, playing either on the wing or at fullback and
capturing attention across the globe during the 2025 World Cup campaign.
The Sporting News has everything you need to know on the young Breakthrough star.
Braxton Sorensen-McGee domestic career
Despite only being 18 years old, Sorensen-McGee has already made waves in New Zealand’s rugby union circuits.
During her debut season for Auckland Storm, aged just 16, she was named as Rookie of the Year in 2023. Most recently, she has just joined the Blues in 2025 for her first season of Super Rugby Aupiki.
Sorensen-McGee international rugby
The young player has played internationally for both disciplines of rugby, beginning her international career by co-captaining New Zealand’s Under 18 Seven’s side at the Global Youth Cup in Auckland, where they finished third after losing to the eventual victors Japan in the semifinal.
In fifteens, Sorensen-McGee was selected to play in both the May and July editions of the Pacific Four Series 2025. During her test debut, she scored twice against the Wallaroos in Newcastle in May.
Braxton Sorensen-McGee awards
Breakthrough Player of the Year 2025 is by far the most prestigious award for the young back, and her first accolade for senior rugby.
She was also awarded Rookie of the Year 2023 during her debut season for Auckland Storm, aged just 16.
Braxton Sorensen-McGee World Cup journey
The Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 was not only Sorensen-McGee’s first World Cup, but first senior international tournament which included northern hemisphere teams.
Despite her lack of experience, she tops nearly every list, with her 11 tries being the most scored in the tournament, her 15 line breaks also topping the chart, and her being officially recognised as the leading point scorer of the entire World Cup with a huge 69 points.
The young Kiwi admits that "I actually didn't think that I would be close to that at the beginning of the tournament, but here now I'm grateful for how hard I worked for it".
Across her 11 tries and seven conversions, she has truly established herself as an offensive machine. What’s more, she has become one of only three players, male or female, to ever score two hattricks in a single World Cup campaign.
In response to not only her stellar stats form the World Cup, but also the announcement of her Breakthrough Player of the Year award, Braxton simply said:
“[It is] pretty unreal. I’m pretty speechless at the moment. No words can really explain how I feel right now - but I feel great”.
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