Black Ferns Star Braxton Sorensen-McGee Reflects on Stunning Rise

In a remarkable turn of events, Braxton Sorensen-McGee has emerged as one of the brightest stars in women’s rugby, achieving numerous accolades in 2025. The 19-year-old standout from New Zealand’s Black Ferns has transitioned from a promising student at Auckland Girls’ Grammar School to a celebrated athlete, claiming the title of World Rugby Women’s 15s Breakthrough Player of the Year among other honors.

Reflecting on her meteoric rise, Sorensen-McGee expressed both disbelief and pride. “I kind of wanted to study,” she noted in an interview with the Sunday Star-Times, acknowledging her initial aspirations to become an early childhood teacher. Just over a year ago, she was busy preparing for exams while simultaneously eyeing her debut in Super Rugby Aupiki.

A Year of Triumphs

Sorensen-McGee’s ambitions took an unexpected turn following a stellar season that included being named Junior Māori Sportswoman of the Year and Black Ferns Player of the Year. This year alone, she has also secured the title of New Zealand Rugby Age-Grade Player of the Year, leading to a significant shift in her career trajectory.

As the youngest of four children living at home with her mother, Nicole Sorensen-McGee, she has had to make space for her numerous trophies. “I had a lot of trophies from league, so I’ve just moved those aside,” she joked, highlighting her prior achievements in rugby league, a sport familiar to her family.

Having started playing rugby in her first year of high school in 2020, Sorensen-McGee quickly progressed to the Farah Palmer Cup and was instrumental in her team’s success during the 2025 season. Her noteworthy performances included a long-range match-winning try in the final against Matatū and a double in the Super Rugby Champions final against the Waratahs.

Black Ferns Breakout

Her rapid ascent did not go unnoticed, and shortly after her club successes, she 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,” she remarked. However, her debut performance against the Wallaroos confirmed her readiness for international competition, where she scored two tries.

At the 2025 World Cup in England, Sorensen-McGee continued to shine, finishing as both the leading try-scorer with 11 tries and the top points-scorer with 69 points. “I obviously wasn’t planning to do any of that… but I kind of made a statement there,” she said, reflecting on her success. Despite the Black Ferns exiting in the semifinals against Canada, her performance was a bright spot in the tournament.

“Being at a World Cup it’s a bit more scary than playing any other normal game,” Sorensen-McGee admitted. Yet, she seemed to thrive under the pressure, consistently delivering outstanding performances that drew attention from fans and critics alike.

Looking ahead, Sorensen-McGee is now transitioning into the Black Ferns Sevens team, debuting in the SVNS Series shortly after the World Cup. Her adaptability has become a hallmark of her career, as she balances commitments between the 15s and 7s formats of the game.

“We’re still trying to figure it out, really,” she explained regarding her future plans, as the schedule for Super Rugby Aupiki is set to change in 2026. Sorensen-McGee is determined to continue competing at a high level, stating she will “definitely” play for the Blues again and back up for the Black Ferns.

As she prepares for a busy year ahead, Sorensen-McGee is also planning to move out of her family home to Mt Maunganui, the training base for the sevens team. While she acknowledges the growing expectations surrounding her, she remains focused on the present and the journey ahead.

“To be honest, I don’t really think about it that much,” she said. “Just stay in the present, whatever happened in the past happened.” Sorensen-McGee’s dedication and talent will surely keep her in the spotlight, inspiring young athletes who aspire to follow in her footsteps.