Rising Star Braxton Sorensen-McGee Shines in 2025 Rugby Season

Braxton Sorensen-McGee, the remarkable breakout star of New Zealand’s Black Ferns, has enjoyed an extraordinary year in 2025. From school exams to international acclaim, her journey has captured the attention of rugby enthusiasts. However, amidst her accolades, Sorensen-McGee admits that one personal goal eluded her: pursuing her studies.

Reflecting on her past year in an interview with the Sunday Star-Times, the 19-year-old athlete shared her initial ambition to become an early childhood teacher while balancing her rugby commitments. “My plan was to do Blues in the first part of the year and then go study in the second part,” she explained. But with the Black Ferns calling, her trajectory changed dramatically.

Sorensen-McGee’s rise has been nothing short of meteoric. In 2025, she achieved several significant milestones, including being named the World Rugby Women’s 15s Breakthrough Player of the Year, the Junior Māori Sportswoman of the Year, the Black Ferns Player of the Year, and the New Zealand Rugby Age-Grade Player of the Year. These accolades have led to a dramatic shift in her family’s awards display in Auckland, where she now lives with her mother, Nicole.

“I had a lot of trophies from league, so I’ve just moved those aside and put my brother’s in the bathroom,” Sorensen-McGee quipped, highlighting her transition from rugby league to rugby union. After excelling in age-group rugby league, she declined a development contract with the Warriors to pursue rugby union, a decision that has proven fortuitous.

The young athlete attributes her rapid success to the guidance of her coaches, particularly Willie Walker, who coached her during her first season in the Farah Palmer Cup. Sorensen-McGee made her Super Rugby Aupiki debut with the Blues on March 1, 2025, and quickly made her mark by scoring a match-winning try in the final against Matatū on April 12. Five days later, she contributed two tries in the Super Rugby Champions final victory over the Waratahs.

Her performance caught the attention of national selectors, leading to a call-up to the Black Ferns training camp ahead of the Pacific Four Series. Despite her nerves, she made a striking debut on May 10, scoring two tries against the Wallaroos in Newcastle. With her impressive skills, including speed, footwork, and kicking ability, she secured a spot in the Black Ferns squad for the World Cup in England.

At the tournament, Sorensen-McGee thrived under pressure, scoring a hat-trick in successive matches. Despite the Black Ferns being eliminated in the semifinals by Canada, she finished as the tournament’s 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. It was pretty special, and I’m still speechless,” she remarked.

Looking back on her success, Sorensen-McGee attributes her achievements to belief in herself and maintaining confidence. “If I can do it, then any other little kid that dreams to be like me can do it as well,” she expressed. This sentiment resonates with many young athletes who now view her as a role model.

As the youngest player in every team she joins, Sorensen-McGee is affectionately nicknamed “Baby” by her teammates. Yet, she has shown remarkable maturity throughout her journey. Now, she faces another challenge as she transitions to the Black Ferns Sevens, debuting in the SVNS Series just nine weeks after the World Cup. New Zealand secured victory in Dubai and finished second in Cape Town during her early Sevens outings.

Sorensen-McGee initially signed with New Zealand Rugby for the Sevens format, having co-captained the national under-18s team the previous year. A hybrid contract now allows her flexibility to participate in both formats. As she contemplates her future, she acknowledges that she is still figuring out her path between Sevens and 15s.

Looking ahead to 2026, she plans to play for the Blues again and contribute to the Black Ferns in upcoming series, including the Pacific Four Series in April, which will coincide with the SVNS series. After a short break over the holidays, Sorensen-McGee is eager to continue her momentum. She also prepares to move out of her family home to train in Mt Maunganui, the base for her Sevens training.

With her burgeoning career, Sorensen-McGee recognizes the heightened expectations that accompany her success. “I know there’s a lot of expectations on me,” she noted. Yet, she remains focused on the present, understanding that past achievements do not dictate her future. As she continues to rise in the rugby world, the spotlight will undoubtedly shine brighter on this exceptional talent.