Braxton Sorensen-McGee, the rising star of women's rugby, has made her mark on the SVNS Series! Just 29 minutes ago, this Rugby World Cup sensation scored her first try in the HSBC SVNS Series, contributing 13 points to New Zealand's impressive 38-10 victory over Great Britain in Cape Town.
Sorensen-McGee's debut on the international rugby scene was nothing short of spectacular. In May, she was named Player of the Match in her first appearance for New Zealand's 15s team, scoring two tries against the Wallaroos in a 38-12 win. This was just a glimpse of what was to come.
The young talent then took the Rugby World Cup by storm, scoring an incredible 11 tries in only six games, playing either on the wing or at fullback. Her performance earned her the title of 15s Breakthrough Player of the Year at the World Rugby Awards in Twickenham's Allianz Stadium.
But here's where it gets even more exciting: Sorensen-McGee was a surprise addition to the Black Ferns Sevens squad for the first two legs of the 2025/26 SVNS Series, making her debut in Dubai. And she didn't disappoint! The 19-year-old was named in the starting lineup for the tournament opener in Cape Town, and she delivered a stellar performance.
The match started with a bang as Danii Mafoe broke through Great Britain's defense to score within the first minute, and Sorensen-McGee successfully converted. But the real highlight came just a minute later when Sorensen-McGee showcased her speed and skill, scoring the team's second try. She intercepted a pass intended to initiate a Great Britain attack and raced away to score under the posts.
The Black Ferns Sevens captain, Risi Pouri-Lane, was quick to congratulate Sorensen-McGee, followed by her teammates, including Katelyn Vahaakolo. Sorensen-McGee's conversion added another two points to New Zealand's tally, solidifying their lead.
Vahaakolo and two-time Olympic champion Theresa Setefano added further tries for the Black Ferns Sevens, while Great Britain responded with a try from Nia Fajeyisan. However, New Zealand maintained control throughout.
In the second half, Vahaakolo and Mahina Paul crossed the line for New Zealand, while Abigail Pritchard scored for Great Britain. Jorja Miller and Kelsey Teneti, who impressed in Dubai, came off the bench to make an impact.
The morning session also saw Japan's women's team defeat Canada for the second consecutive weekend, with Sakura Mizutani scoring twice in a 26-19 win. Meanwhile, Australia bounced back from their Dubai Sevens Cup Final loss with a dominant 41-0 victory over France, and the USA began their tournament with a narrow win against Fijiana.
And this is the part most people miss: Sorensen-McGee's journey from a promising debut to becoming a World Cup star and now a SVNS Series try-scorer is a testament to her talent and determination. Her ability to adapt to both 15s and sevens rugby is remarkable and could spark a debate about the future of the sport. Is this the rise of a new generation of versatile rugby stars? Only time will tell. What do you think about Sorensen-McGee's potential and the future of women's rugby?
