Kaipo Olsen-Baker Named World Rugby Women’s Player of the Year

Kaipo Olsen-Baker has won World Rugby’s Women’s 15s Player of the Year award for 2026. Her New Zealand teammate Elinor-Plum King received the Women’s 15s Breakthrough Player of the Year award. The Black Ferns forwards were presented with their awards in Christchurch after the match against France on October 31. World Rugby recognised Olsen-Baker’s ball carrying, athleticism and work rate, and her contributions in attack and defence. England’s Zoe Harrison and Megan Jones and Canada’s DaLeaka Menin were the other nominees for the player award. King, an openside flanker, was honoured after her debut international season, with the awarding body highlighting her defence and breakdown work. The other breakthrough nominees were France’s Pauline Barrat, Australia’s Amelia Whitaker and the United States’ Bella Vogel. World Rugby chair Brett Robinson said: “To see both players recognised in front of their home supporters in Christchurch makes the occasion even more special.” The presentations followed New Zealand’s final match of its WXV Global Series campaign. The women’s awards programme concludes on November 2 with the International Rugby Players’ Association Women’s 15s Try of the Year and World Rugby Women’s 15s Dream Team of the Year announcements.