New Zealander Kaipo Olsen-Baker was honored with the title of Rugby Player of the Year 2026 at a prestigious ceremony.
The world of international rugby celebrated excellence last Saturday, October 31, 2026, at the annual World Rugby Awards ceremony. This year, New Zealander Kaipo Olsen-Baker claimed the highly coveted title of Player of the Year, confirming the continued dominance of New Zealand teams on the global stage of women's rugby.
Kaipo Olsen-Baker stood out throughout the season with remarkable performances, combining physical power, exceptional game vision, and leadership on the field. Her journey with the Black Ferns was marked by decisive matches that allowed her team to prevail against the best nations in world women's rugby.
In the Breakthrough Player of the Year category, France's Pauline Barrat was in contention for this prestigious award. The young French player enjoyed a promising season with the French teams, demonstrating considerable potential for the future of French women's rugby. However, it was another Black Ferns player, Elinor-Plum King, who took the award ahead of the Frenchwoman in this competition reserved for emerging talent.
This ceremony once again highlights the strength of New Zealand women's rugby, which continues to set the standards of excellence in this rapidly growing discipline. Women's rugby is experiencing exponential development around the world, and these distinctions reward the players who help raise the level of international competition.
Kaipo Olsen-Baker stood out throughout the season with remarkable performances, combining physical power, exceptional game vision, and leadership on the field. Her journey with the Black Ferns was marked by decisive matches that allowed her team to prevail against the best nations in world women's rugby.
In the Breakthrough Player of the Year category, France's Pauline Barrat was in contention for this prestigious award. The young French player enjoyed a promising season with the French teams, demonstrating considerable potential for the future of French women's rugby. However, it was another Black Ferns player, Elinor-Plum King, who took the award ahead of the Frenchwoman in this competition reserved for emerging talent.
This ceremony once again highlights the strength of New Zealand women's rugby, which continues to set the standards of excellence in this rapidly growing discipline. Women's rugby is experiencing exponential development around the world, and these distinctions reward the players who help raise the level of international competition.
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Source: Ouest-France