Braxton Sorenson-McGee was mesmerising for the Black Ferns on the 2025 Rugby World Cup in England. The World Rugby Breakthrough Player of the Year scored a tournament-leading 11 tries in six video games and topped the stats charts in factors scored (69), metres gained (550) and clear breaks (15).
Before that, she helped the Blues defend their Super Rugby Aupiki title. In the 26-19 ultimate win in opposition to Matatu, she scored a vital 70-metre intercept attempt, made two linebreaks, and a try-saving deal with. She ranked within the high ten for tries scored and clear breaks, and topped the metres gained rely in the entire competitors.
The 19-year-old has continued her startling momentum for the Black Ferns Sevens, serving to the Olympic champions win SVNS cup titles in Dubai, Singapore and Perth.
How can she high these feats for the rest of 2026? What conversations has she had with the brand new fifteen-aside Black Ferns coach, Whitney Hansen?
“We’ve said Hi. I hope she picks me,” Sorenson-McGee artlessly informed RugbyGo.
“It’s a long time until I play fifteens again. Right now, my focus is on the Black Ferns Sevens.
“Sevens has been a change of pace and environment. There are fewer people, which makes it easier to connect quickly with teammates, but more space, which speeds up the game. One mistake can be a try.
“I feel like the whole team is more connected than we were at the start of the season, and that’s the foundation for success. I’m under no pressure. I’ve been told to be myself.”
An genuine Sorenson-McGee is an intoxicating bundle of tempo, unpredictability and goal-kicking precision. In 4 tournaments, she has scored 5 tries and slotted 22 conversions. She has been used selectively by six-time winner of the New Zealand Rugby coach of the yr award, Cory Sweeney, in each an impression position from the bench and for velocity and playmaking near the flanks. Sweeney emphasised
“I’m not sure if we underestimate the transition from fifteens to sevens, but it’s hard; the game’s different. I think when you go to fifteens, it’s detail, tactical, set plays, systems and when you come here, it’s accuracy of skill and small things that you’ve got to get really right, because the consequences are so big.”
After the Black Ferns had been overwhelmed within the Cape Town ultimate by Australia, a six-week interval of “resetting” led to extra fluid play within the resounding Singapore and Perth Cup wins, throughout which the Black Ferns outscored Australia 65-14.
The Black Ferns Sevens have gained 45 of the 57 SVNS finals through which they’ve performed. Since their return to worldwide play in April 2022 following COVID lockdowns, their match file throughout all competitions stands at: performed 172, gained 157, misplaced 14, drawn 1.
“We can’t afford to be complacent. Every game is different and challenging,” Sorenson-McGee stated.
“We hold ourselves to high standards. The older players aren’t grumpy when we get things wrong, but they will hold us accountable, especially Stacey Waaka.”
Sorensen-McGee turned one of the vital well-known rugby gamers in the course of the World Cup in England and located the eye flattering. Her favorite World Cup attempt was her first, scored within the 62-19 win in opposition to Spain in York following a pivot and cross from lock Alana Bremner.
Her favorite recreation of the World Cup was the Black Ferns 42-26 third-placed playoff win in opposition to France at Twickenham, through which she scored two tries.
“I can’t put my finger on why we didn’t play our best in the semi against Canada. We were well prepared but definitely second on the day,” Sorensen-McGee stated.
“Against France, we were motivated to finish on a high. I’m glad we did that because we worked hard.”
The Black Ferns have a demanding ten-match schedule in 2026. Their first worldwide is on April 12 in Sacramento in opposition to the USA as a part of the Pacific Four Series, which additionally contains Canada and Australia. Following these video games, the Black Ferns will play South Africa for the primary time on South African soil, participate within the WXV Global Series and host the French in a three-match collection.
Super Rugby Aupiki runs from June 13 till July 25 with a Trans-Tasman Final in opposition to the winner of Super Rugby W in Australia on August 1.
The speedy precedence for Sorenson-McGee is that this weekend’s Vancouver Sevens. Since 2015, the Black Ferns Sevens have gained the match seven occasions, together with a 41-7 romp of Fijiana of their first Cup ultimate final yr. In the identical match, Michaela Brake scored 5 tries within the 58-7 group win in opposition to Ireland to cross former teammate Portia Woodman-Wickliffe as the highest try-scorer in SVNS historical past.
The Black Ferns Sevens, who lead the 2025/26 SVNS league standings by 4 factors, are grouped with Great Britain, Japan and France. The Black Ferns Sevens are a mixed 76-4 in opposition to these opponents, with the defeats coming by the hands of the 2011 Tokyo Olympic silver medalists.
