Black Ferns Star Braxton Sorensen-McGee Reflects on Stellar 2025

Braxton Sorensen-McGee, a breakout star of New Zealand rugby, has had a remarkable year in 2025, achieving numerous accolades and capturing the attention of the sporting world. The 19-year-old’s journey has been nothing short of meteoric, culminating in her being named the World Rugby Women’s 15s Breakthrough Player of the Year. Despite this success, Sorensen-McGee admits that she did not fulfill one personal goal: pursuing her studies.

Reflecting on her stunning rise during an interview with the Sunday Star-Times, Sorensen-McGee shared that just over a year ago, she was focused on her education at Auckland Girls’ Grammar School. Initially, she intended to transition into early childhood education while also participating in rugby. “My plan was to do Blues in the first part of the year and then go study the second part of the year,” she explained, “but then obviously the Black Ferns came and I just went straight into that.”

As her rugby career took off, Sorensen-McGee quickly shifted her focus, leaving her educational ambitions behind. In addition to her World Rugby honor, she received accolades such as the Junior Māori Sportswoman of the Year and Black Ferns Player of the Year, marking a significant shift in her priorities.

The Auckland native, who is the youngest of four siblings still living at home with her mother, Nicole, humorously noted the changes in her family’s trophy display. “I had a lot of trophies from league, so I’ve just moved those aside, and put my brother’s in the bathroom,” she quipped. Sorensen-McGee, who previously excelled in rugby league, turned down a development contract with the Warriors to pursue a career in rugby union, a decision that has proven to be well-founded.

“It’s been pretty unreal,” she stated, trying to encapsulate her rapid ascent in the sport. Sorensen-McGee began playing rugby in 2020 while on a rugby league scholarship and quickly transitioned to competing in the Farah Palmer Cup for Auckland. Her breakthrough year saw her shine in 2025, particularly during the Super Rugby Aupiki campaign, where she scored a stunning long-range try in the final against Matatū.

Following her successful Super Rugby season, Sorensen-McGee received a call-up to the Black Ferns training camp ahead of the Pacific Four Series. “Obviously being new, I didn’t think I would even be considered for Pac Four,” she recalled. However, her remarkable two-try debut against the Wallaroos in Newcastle confirmed her readiness for the international stage.

With her impressive speed, agility, and strategic playmaking, Sorensen-McGee secured her spot in the Black Ferns squad for the World Cup in England. Despite the team crashing out in the semifinals to Canada, she finished the tournament as the leading try-scorer with a total of 11 tries and amassed 69 points. “I obviously wasn’t planning to do any of that… but I kind of made a statement there. It was pretty special, and I’m still speechless,” she remarked, reflecting on her extraordinary performance.

As she navigates her newfound fame, Sorensen-McGee has become an inspiration for young athletes. The influx of aspiring players expressing their admiration for her has been “pretty cool” to witness. Teammates affectionately refer to her as “Baby,” a nod to her age, yet they also recognize her maturity and composure on and off the field.

Sorensen-McGee’s adaptability is being tested further as she transitions to the Black Ferns Sevens. Just nine weeks after her World Cup debut, she participated in the SVNS Series, contributing to New Zealand’s victory in Dubai and a second-place finish in Cape Town. Initially, she had signed with New Zealand Rugby for the Sevens format, but a “hybrid contract” afforded her the flexibility to participate in both formats.

Looking ahead to 2026, Sorensen-McGee faces decisions about her future in rugby. She plans to play for the Blues again, as the Super Rugby Aupiki season has shifted to June-August, allowing her to balance commitments to both the 15s and Sevens formats. “We’re still trying to figure it out, really, just seeing how I feel with Sevens, and if I want to take it bigger or just focus on 15s,” she said, indicating her willingness to explore her options.

After a brief respite over the Christmas and New Year period, Sorensen-McGee is preparing for an action-packed year. She will also be relocating to Mt Maunganui, the training base for the Sevens team, marking a significant transition in her personal life.

“I know there’s a lot of expectations on me,” she acknowledged, but she remains focused on the present, emphasizing the importance of not dwelling on past achievements. With her talent and determination, it is clear that Braxton Sorensen-McGee’s journey in rugby is just beginning, and the world will be watching her closely as she continues to make her mark on the sport.