# Olsen-Baker named Women’s World Player of the Year

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/olsen-baker-named-womens-world-player-of-the-year/
- Published: 2026-10-31T09:24:41+00:00
- Updated: 2026-10-31T10:40:46+00:00
- Original publisher: BBC Sport (publisher lean: Centre)
- Original article: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/articles/cm0e02xn583go?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss
- Topics: Business, Companies, Sport

## Key points

- Kaipo Olsen-Baker wins World Rugby’s top women’s award.
- New Zealand lost only once this year.
- Elinor-Plum King earns breakthrough player recognition.

## Summary

New Zealand number eight Kaipo Olsen-Baker has been named World Rugby Women’s Player of the Year, recognising her performances for a resurgent Black Ferns side. The award highlights New Zealand’s strong season under new head coach Whitney Hansen.

The 24-year-old beat Canada’s DaLeaka Menin and England players Megan Jones and Zoe Harrison. New Zealand lost only once this year, 26-19 to England in September, and won the Pacific Four Series, which also features Canada, Australia and the United States. Black Ferns flanker Elinor-Plum King, 22, was named Breakthrough Player of the Year after scoring three Test tries in her debut season.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.