Olsen-Baker crowned World Rugby Women's Player of the Year to join Black Ferns' roll of honour

Loose forward Kaipo Olsen-Baker has been named World Rugby Women’s 15s Player of the Year for 2026, joining a distinguished line of Black Ferns to have claimed the award that stretches back to Monique Hirovanaa in 2002. Teammate Elinor-Plum King also took home the Women’s 15s Breakthrough Player of the Year prize.

Olsen-Baker’s case was built on a relentless domestic season in Super Rugby Aupiki, where she scored a try in every round-robin match, became the only player to exceed 100 carries, and led the competition in tackles with 136 — 18 clear of King in second place. That form carried directly into the international window.

Her standout Test performance came in a 36-14 victory over Canada in Kansas City in April, when she crossed twice. The second was a 70-metre effort near full-time that capped a second half New Zealand won 31-0. She featured in seven of the Black Ferns’ 11 Tests across the season.

Olsen-Baker now joins a roll of honour that reads as a who’s who of New Zealand women’s rugby. Half-back Monique Hirovanaa was the first Black Fern to win the award, in 2002, after guiding New Zealand to Women’s Rugby World Cup glory in Barcelona without conceding a try. Her performance in a tense 19-9 final victory over England at the Olympic Stadium — a try, a try assist, and a kicking game that pinned England deep — drew widespread acclaim. Between 1996 and 2002, Hirovanaa partnered World Rugby Hall of Fame first five-eighth Anna Richards in 22 Tests, winning 21 at an average score of 57-5.

Dame Farah Palmer claimed the award in 2005 despite missing her first Black Ferns match since 1996 through injury. The hooker and captain led New Zealand to 29 wins in 30 Tests across her tenure, including multiple Women’s Rugby World Cup triumphs, and has since been inducted into the World Rugby Hall of Fame.

Carla Hohepa, Kendra Cocksedge, Portia Woodman-Wickliffe, and Ruahei Demant complete the list of Black Ferns to have won the award before Olsen-Baker’s addition in 2026, underscoring New Zealand’s sustained dominance in the women’s 15s game.