Sarah Rendell
Best player: Sophie de Goede. The Canadian forward was outstanding and versatile all tournament. It’s incredible that she performed so well just after recovering from an ACL injury.
Best match: New Zealand v Canada. While many predicted a tight semi-final, Canada dominated the world champions. Their speed was unmatched, and Justine Pelletier was exceptional.
Best try: Fiji’s Kolora Lomani against Canada. Ellie Kildunne’s knockout-stage tries deserve a shout-out, but Lomani’s effort electrified York’s stadium. It was a stunning team try involving nearly every Fiji player.
Breakout star: Braxton Sorensen-McGee. The 18-year-old Black Fern nearly broke the record for most tries in a single World Cup, scoring 11—just two short of Portia Woodman-Wickliffe’s 2017 tally. This teenager has a promising future.
Unsung hero: Hannah Botterman. The England prop deserved at least one player-of-the-match award for her contributions in defense, at the breakdown, and in set pieces throughout the tournament.
Favourite moment: Teams dancing together after matches, like following England’s pool game against Samoa. Both sides joined in a huddle and danced—a heartwarming display of rugby spirit.
This World Cup was… a turning point for women’s rugby. The momentum must not slow down. Increased investment is crucial, and hopefully, crowds will keep growing at both international and club levels.
In 2029 I hope… there’s more competition across all teams. To achieve that, nations need to fund programs and schedule more games—the WXV series will help.
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Robert Kitson
Best player: Ellie Kildunne. Whenever England needed a spark, “Special K” delivered. She’s deceptively fast and thrives under pressure. A nod also to Canada’s Sophie de Goede, aka Sophie de Greate.
Best match: New Zealand v Canada semi-final. This game showcased the rising standard of women’s rugby, with Canada’s pace, commitment, and offloading stunning New Zealand in a memorable Bristol showdown.
Best try: Ellie Kildunne. Her try in the final against Canada highlighted her elusive running and sharp instincts. Give her a sliver of space, and she’s one of the most exciting players to watch.
Breakout star: Braxton Sorensen-McGee. At just 18, the New Zealander is a clear talent with a long career ahead—quick, predatory, and a reliable goalkicker.
Unsung hero: Rachel Malcolm. The Scotland captain spoke out boldly before the tournament about contract delays and eloquently after her team’s quarter-final loss to England.
Favourite moment: The first half of South Africa v New Zealand in Exeter. South Africa’s fierce challenge changed how women’s rugby is viewed in their country.
This World Cup was… everything organizers dreamed of and more. I’ve yet to find anyone who attended a match and didn’t love it.
In 2029 I hope… more teams arrive in Australia with a real shot at winning, and that funding increases for ambitious nations in need.
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Andy Bull
Best player: Sophie de Goede. She dominates mauls, breaks through defenses, kicks goals, wins lineouts, and steals turnovers.Hannah Botterman was the standout player. The Bristol Bears prop was relentlessly destructive in both attack and defense, consistently performing at a level above her peers, whether at club level or on the international stage with England.
Canada’s journey to the final was largely thanks to one player’s exceptional skills in passing, offloading, and powerful tackles.
The best match was Canada’s 34-19 semi-final victory over New Zealand. New Zealand played so deep into overtime that it seemed they couldn’t accept they had already lost.
For the best try, look no further than Ellie Kildunne’s second score in England’s semi-final against France. She weaved through a crowd of defenders with a slick, elusive run, shining brightest when her team needed her most.
The breakout star was Braxton Sorensee-McGee, who appears too innocent for international rugby until she gets the ball and a bit of space in the 22-meter area.
The unsung hero is Samoa’s head coach, Ramsey Tomokino, who has personally covered team expenses multiple times. Despite heavy defeats, his dedication showed there’s more than one way to compete in a World Cup.
A favorite moment was Samoa’s joyous celebration after scoring their only three points in the tournament. They were so busy dancing after the penalty against England that they were late to restart the game.
This World Cup was a triumph off the field, despite many one-sided matches. Its success lies in how well-organized it was, ensuring everyone enjoyed themselves regardless of the scores.
Looking ahead to 2029, I hope that unions and World Rugby work to close the gap between the top teams and the rest. Many sides deserve greater investment and support.
Samoa’s delight after scoring their first points at a Women’s Rugby World Cup against England captured the tournament’s joyful spirit.
In another perspective, the best match was Australia’s 31-31 draw with the USA, a classic battle for second place in Pool A. Samantha Wood’s missed conversion for Australia led to a fitting result after an intense game.
The best try was Amy Cokayne’s for England against France in the semi-finals. With England leading 7-5 at halftime, a perfectly executed driving maul resulted in a crucial score under pressure.
The breakout star was Desiree Miller from Australia, who scored a hat-trick against Samoa, two tries in a thrilling match with the USA, and her sixth try of the tournament in the quarter-final against Canada, showcasing her speed and finishing.
The unsung hero is Raquel Kochhann of Brazil—an Olympian, cancer survivor, and scorer of Brazil’s first World Cup points. She embodies the team’s spirit and is open to sponsorship deals for hair products.
A favorite moment was Zoe Aldcroft’s emotional reaction, shared with her teammates.Her team ultimately achieved victory. As England’s captain, she shouldered the weight of expectation and never backed down from it.
This World Cup was friendly, inclusive, fun, and inspiring. A special mention goes to the Hackleton & District Women’s Institute for their wonderful arts and crafts display along the walk from Northampton train station to Franklin’s Gardens, which really set the tone.
Looking ahead to 2029, I hope for more competitive matches—the obvious goal. While it would be great to level the playing field, it’s also fair to acknowledge that some teams will naturally be stronger than others.
Frequently Asked Questions
Of course Here is a list of helpful and clear FAQs about standout players and thrilling matches in the Womens Rugby World Cup
General Beginner Questions
Q What is the Womens Rugby World Cup
A Its the premier international rugby union competition for womens national teams held every four years to crown the world champion
Q Who are the standout players youre talking about
A These are the athletes who performed exceptionally well during the tournament making a huge impact through their skill leadership and gamechanging plays
Q What makes a rugby match thrilling
A A thrilling match is usually very close has a lot of scoring dramatic lead changes incredible individual efforts and often comes down to the final play
Q Why is it helpful to know about standout players and great matches
A It helps new fans know who to watch and which games to look up making it easier to get into the sport and appreciate the high level of skill and drama
Questions About Standout Players
Q What qualities make a player a standout in a World Cup
A Consistency the ability to perform under pressure scoring crucial points making gamesaving tackles and demonstrating exceptional leadership on the field
Q Can you give an example of a past standout player
A Absolutely Players like New Zealands Portia Woodman or Englands Marlie Packer are modern examples of standouts
Q Do standout players usually come from the winning team
A Often but not always A player from a losing team can be a standout if they put on an extraordinary individual performance against tough opposition
Q Whats the difference between a standout player and the tournaments Player of the Match
A A Player of the Match is awarded for a single game A standout player is someone who performs at a high level consistently throughout the entire World Cup
Questions About Thrilling Matches
Q What are the key ingredients for a classic thrilling World Cup match
