Women’s 15s Player of the Year and the Women’s 15s Breakthrough Player of the Year Nominees Announced

World Rugby announced the 2025 nominees for the Women’s 15s Player of the Year in partnership with HSBC and the Women’s 15s Breakthrough Player of the Year, with three players confirmed for each category.

The winners will be crowned during the trophy presentation ceremony at the Women’s Rugby World Cup Final at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham, on Saturday, 27th September 2025.

World Rugby Chair Brett Robinson said: “This remarkable Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 has demonstrated the very best of our game – the values, the unity, the incredible energy. At the heart of its success are our players, the stars of the show, who have not only been exceptional performers on the field, but who have forged an incredible bond with fans.”

The sports governing body said that the Coach of the Year and Referee award winners will be presented at the RWC 2025 Final alongside the Player and Breakthrough Player of the Year, Women’s 15s Dream Team and Try of the Year after the tournament this coming weekend.

The nominees for both the Women’s 15s Player of the Year in partnership and the Women’s 15s Breakthrough Player of the Year awards were selected by a panel of former players and experts: Fiona Coghlan, Lena Corson, Abby Gustaitis, Heather Moyse, Shannon Parry, Melodie Robinson and Danielle Waterman.

World Rugby – 2025 nominees for Women’s 15s Breakthrough Player of the Year

Jorja Miller (New Zealand)

The Women’s SVNS Player of the Year, Jorja Miller made the switch to flanker in 15s and scored five tries in six tests, including two doubles at RWC 2025. The game-breaker is regarded by some as a “once in a generation talent”, and she credits her highland dancing background for her agility and footwork. She sadly missed out on the semifinal and was badly missed by the Black Ferns as they were knocked out by Canada.

Josifini Neihamu (Fiji)  

Fijiana’s Josifini is part of a rugby-rich family; her brother Jone Naikabula played for Japan at RWC 2023 (he currently plays in the JRLO with Toshiba Brave Lupus Tokyo) – but she has made her mark this tournament and scored two tries in their historic victory over Wales in Exeter. The 21-year-old centre has notched up seven tries in six tests, including a hat-trick on debut against Tonga in June 2025.

Braxton Sorensen-McGee (New Zealand)

The 18-year-old scored twice in New Zealand’s Pacific Four Series opener against Australia in May and has now scored 12 tries in eight tests, including nine at the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025. She also scored two hat-tricks (one of those was against Japan in the pool stage).  Black Ferns director of performance Allan Bunting has been full of praise for her, and she has become a darling of the tournament and has managed to switch position, comfortable at wing and full-back.

(We spoke with her after the Japan defeat, and she was incredibly level-headed and gracious, an undeniable talent and respectful, but was still missing her mom!)

World Rugby – 2025 nominees for Women’s 15s Player of the Year in partnership with HSBC

Sophie de Goede (Canada)

A second nomination in a Women’s Rugby World Cup year, De Goede will be most people’s favourite for her performances at this tournament. She converts the penalties and conversions and plays in the second row, has a great turn of pace, an enviable skillset and a great rugby IQ. All of this after being out for a year with an ACL injury. She topped the charts for carries, offloads and lineout takes going into this weekend’s final and has contributed 58 points for Canada!

Megan Jones (England)

For dual 7s and 15s star, Meg Jones has started at centre in 11 of England’s 12 matches in 2025 and crossed for a brace in the record win over Samoa during the tournament. An invaluable cog in the Red Roses winning machine, she makes big tackles and secures turnovers for her team, as well as being a commanding voice on and off the field.

Jorja Miller (New Zealand)

The dual nominee has been outstanding all tournament, and sometimes it’s difficult to think she is so young, but on the 7s and 15s fields, she has been an outstanding talent in a team stacked with ability.

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