Braxton Sorensen-McGee watched the 2022 semi-final at Eden Park as a 16-year-old and now seeks to play in the 2025 Women's Rugby World Cup. After a breakout 2025 season, the 18-year-old serves as a three-Test full-back and is the youngest member of the Black Ferns squad. The Black Ferns open against Spain on Monday morning (NZT) in England. The team aims to win a record seventh World Cup and a third consecutive title. The squad contains other prominent young players such as Jorja Miller (21), Veisinia Mahutariki-Fakalelu (20), and Sylvia Brunt (21) with 25 Test caps.
The then 16-year-old, at the ground with her school team, remembers the moment of relief when a last-minute French penalty goal attempt drifted wide, allowing the Black Ferns to scrape through to the final of the Women's World Cup. In another gripping contest against arch-rivals England, New Zealand went on to win the tournament. Now, Sorensen-McGee hopes to play a decisive role in retaining the title.
After a breakout 2025, the 18-year-old is the youngest member of the Black Ferns squad, who take on Spain on Monday morning (NZT) in their opening act of the 2025 Women's Rugby World Cup, hosted by England. Instead of just watching, as she did that spring evening in 2022, the three-Test full-back hopes to help the Black Ferns secure a record seventh World Cup title and their third in succession.
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