Black Ferns Sweep Top Honours at World Rugby Awards

The Black Ferns have dominated the World Rugby Awards, with back-row pair Kaipo Olsen-Baker and Elinor-Plum King claiming top prizes. Olsen-Baker was named World Rugby Women's 15s Player of the Year for 2026, while King was named Women's 15s Breakthrough Player of the Year. The pair received their awards at full-time of the Black Ferns' win over France in Christchurch at the conclusion of the WXV Global Series. It has been a mesmeric year for New Zealand, who have won all but one of their 10 Test matches in Whitney Hansen's first year as head coach. The awards cap a season in which the Black Ferns reasserted themselves as the standard-bearers of the women's game, blending established stars with emerging talent. The women's awards conclude on Monday, when the International Rugby Players' Association Women's 15s Try of the Year and the World Rugby Women's 15s Dream Team of the Year are confirmed, with further New Zealand representation expected after such a dominant year.