# Olsen-Baker and King Win World Rugby’s Top Women’s Honors

New Zealand forwards Kaipo Olsen-Baker and Elinor-Plum King received player-of-the-year and breakthrough awards after the Black Ferns’ Christchurch finale.

By Will Langan | 24X7 News
Published: 2026-10-31T10:09:58.861Z
Updated: 2026-10-31T10:09:58.861Z
Section: Sports
Format: News
Canonical: https://24x7news.us/articles/olsen-baker-king-world-rugby-awards-october-31-2026

New Zealand’s Kaipo Olsen-Baker won World Rugby’s Women’s 15s Player of the Year award, while teammate Elinor-Plum King took the breakthrough-player honor, following the Black Ferns’ match against France in Christchurch on October 31.

The presentations came after New Zealand completed a three-match home series sweep with a 36–7 victory, according to the Associated Press. Olsen-Baker did not play in the finale because of an ankle injury, but joined the post-match celebration.

World Rugby recognized Olsen-Baker’s contribution from the back row across the international season. The number eight finished ahead of fellow nominees Zoe Harrison and Megan Jones of England and DaLeaka Menin of Canada.

King’s breakthrough award followed her first season in the senior national side. The openside flanker was selected ahead of France’s Pauline Barrat, Australia’s Amelia Whitaker and the United States’ Bella Vogel. BBC Sport reported that King scored three Test tries during her debut Black Ferns season.

New Zealand finished its international year with 10 victories in 11 matches, AP reported. The team’s only defeat came against England. The awards recognize individual performances over that season, rather than only the result against France.

World Rugby said its women’s awards program will conclude November 2 with the announcement of the International Rugby Players’ Association Women’s 15s Try of the Year and the Women’s 15s Dream Team. Those selections remained forthcoming in the announcement.

The governing body also said Rochelle Martin, a three-time Women’s Rugby World Cup winner, was inducted into its Hall of Fame following the Christchurch match.

Sources
World Rugby — 2026 Women's 15s Award Winners: https://www.world.rugby/news/1048766/new-zealand-duo-kaipo-olsen-baker-and-elinor-plum-king-crowned-world-rugby-womens-15s-award-winners-for-2026
Associated Press via iNFOnews — October 31 Award and Match Report: https://infonews.ca/news/7968333/kaipo-olsen-baker-crowned-world-rugby-womens-player-of-the-year-after-nz-sweep-france/
BBC Sport — October 31 Awards Report: https://www.bbc.com/sport/rugby-union/articles/cm0e02xn583go

## Sources
- World Rugby — 2026 Women's 15s Award Winners: https://www.world.rugby/news/1048766/new-zealand-duo-kaipo-olsen-baker-and-elinor-plum-king-crowned-world-rugby-womens-15s-award-winners-for-2026
- Associated Press via iNFOnews — October 31 Award and Match Report: https://infonews.ca/news/7968333/kaipo-olsen-baker-crowned-world-rugby-womens-player-of-the-year-after-nz-sweep-france/
- BBC Sport — October 31 Awards Report: https://www.bbc.com/sport/rugby-union/articles/cm0e02xn583go