Women’s rugby has been growing in popularity and recognition around the world, with more countries investing in their national teams and more opportunities for women to play at the highest level. In 2023, the sport has seen a number of talented players rise to the top, showcasing their skills and athleticism on the field. Here are the 10 best women’s rugby players in 2023:
- Portia Woodman (New Zealand)
Portia Woodman is a rugby sevens superstar, known for her incredible speed, agility, and finishing ability. She was born on 12 July 1991 in Auckland, New Zealand, and began playing rugby at a young age. Her father, Kawhena, played for the New Zealand Māori rugby team, and her brothers, Ardie and Nepo, both went on to play for the All Blacks.
Woodman made her international debut for New Zealand in 2013, and quickly established herself as one of the most exciting players in the women’s game. She was named World Rugby Women’s Sevens Player of the Year in 2015, and helped New Zealand win a silver medal at the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.
In 2017, Woodman made history by scoring 13 tries in a single tournament at the Rugby World Cup Sevens in San Francisco. She was named Player of the Tournament, and led New Zealand to victory over France in the final. Woodman’s performance was nothing short of extraordinary, and cemented her place as one of the greatest sevens players of all time.
Woodman is known for her incredible speed and finishing ability, which make her a constant threat to opposing teams. She has an impressive try-scoring record, with over 160 tries in international rugby. Woodman’s athleticism and footwork are also impressive, allowing her to evade defenders with ease and create scoring opportunities for herself and her teammates.
Off the field, Woodman is known for her humility and dedication to the sport. She is a role model for young rugby players, and has spoken openly about her struggles with anxiety and depression. Woodman has also been a vocal advocate for gender equality in sport, and has worked to raise awareness of the challenges faced by women in rugby.
In 2021, Woodman helped lead New Zealand to a gold medal at the Olympics in Tokyo. She was the tournament’s top try-scorer, with 9 tries in 6 games, and was named Player of the Final after scoring two tries in the gold medal match against France. Woodman’s performance was a testament to her skill and determination, and cemented her place as one of the greatest rugby sevens players of all time.
2. Sarah Bern (England)
Sarah Bern is an English rugby player who has made a name for herself as one of the most dominant forwards in the women’s game. She was born on 8 January 1997 in Bristol, England, and began playing rugby at the age of 15. Bern quickly emerged as a rising star, and made her debut for the England national team in 2017.
Bern is known for her physicality and strength on the field. At 6’0″ tall and weighing over 200 pounds, she is an imposing figure who can dominate in the scrum and break through defensive lines with ease. Bern’s aggressive style of play and her ability to make powerful tackles have earned her a reputation as one of the toughest players in the women’s game.
In addition to her physicality, Bern is also a skilled ball-handler and has an impressive ability to offload in the tackle. Her size and strength make her a formidable opponent, but she also possesses the finesse and technique necessary to be a complete player.
Bern’s impressive performances have earned her numerous accolades throughout her career. She was named the Women’s Player of the Year at the 2017 Premiership Rugby Awards, and was also named the England Women’s Player of the Year in 2018. In addition, she was a key player for England at the 2017 Women’s Rugby World Cup, where she helped lead the team to the final.
Off the field, Bern is known for her commitment to growing the sport of rugby. She has been vocal about the need for increased funding and support for women’s rugby, and has worked to inspire young girls to take up the sport. Bern is also an advocate for mental health awareness, and has been open about her own struggles with anxiety.
In 2021, Bern helped lead England to a bronze medal at the Olympics in Tokyo. She was a key player in the team’s victory over Fiji in the quarterfinals, and was a dominant force in the scrum throughout the tournament.
3. Stacey Fluhler (New Zealand)
Stacey Fluhler is a rising star in the world of women’s rugby. Born on May 26, 1997, in New Zealand, Fluhler has quickly established herself as one of the most exciting players in the sport.
Fluhler is known for her speed and agility, and she has a natural ability to read the game and anticipate where the ball will go. Her quick footwork and impressive sidesteps make her a difficult player to tackle, and she has a knack for finding gaps in the opposition’s defense.
Fluhler made her debut for the New Zealand women’s rugby team in 2017 and has quickly become a key player for the team. She played a crucial role in New Zealand’s victory in the 2019 HSBC World Rugby Women’s Sevens Series, scoring 13 tries throughout the tournament.
In addition to her success on the international stage, Fluhler has also excelled at the domestic level. She plays for the Canterbury team in the Farah Palmer Cup, where she has established herself as one of the top players in the league.
Fluhler’s impressive performances have earned her numerous accolades throughout her career. In 2019, she was named the World Rugby Women’s Sevens Player of the Year, becoming the first New Zealander to receive the award. She has also been named to the World Rugby Women’s Sevens Dream Team in 2018 and 2019.
Off the field, Fluhler is known for her humble and down-to-earth personality. She is a dedicated athlete who takes her training and preparation seriously, and she is always looking for ways to improve her game.
4. Emily Scarratt (England)
Emily Scarratt is a rugby player from England who is widely considered to be one of the best women’s rugby players in the world. Born on 8 February 1990, Scarratt began playing rugby at a young age and quickly emerged as a talented player.
Scarratt is known for her skill and versatility on the field. She is a powerful runner who can break through tackles and make quick breaks, and her passing ability is excellent. She is also a solid defender and has a strong tackling technique. Scarratt is equally comfortable playing in the centre or at fullback, and her versatility has made her a key player for the England national team.
One of Scarratt’s most impressive achievements was leading England to the 2014 Rugby World Cup title. Scarratt was the tournament’s top scorer and was named the player of the match in the final. She has also been a key player for England in the Six Nations tournament, helping lead the team to several victories.
In addition to her success on the field, Scarratt is also known for her leadership skills. She has captained both the England national team and her club team, Loughborough Lightning, and has been praised for her ability to motivate her teammates and lead by example.
Scarratt’s impressive performances have earned her numerous accolades throughout her career. She has been named the World Rugby Women’s Player of the Year twice, in 2019 and 2020. In addition, she was named to the World Rugby Women’s Sevens Dream Team in 2013 and 2018.
Off the field, Scarratt is known for her commitment to promoting women’s rugby and inspiring young girls to take up the sport. She has been involved in various community initiatives and has worked to raise awareness of the sport’s potential.
5. Gayle Broughton (New Zealand)
Gayle Broughton is a New Zealand rugby player who is considered to be one of the best women’s rugby sevens players in the world. She was born on 8 October 1995 in Taranaki, New Zealand, and began playing rugby at a young age. Broughton quickly emerged as a talented player, and made her debut for the New Zealand national team in 2016.
Broughton is known for her speed and agility on the field. She is a dynamic runner who can break through defensive lines with ease, and her ability to change direction quickly makes her a difficult player to tackle. Broughton is also a skilled ball-handler, and has an impressive ability to offload in the tackle.
In addition to her attacking skills, Broughton is also a solid defender. She is a strong tackler who can also read the game well, intercepting passes and disrupting the opposition’s attack. Broughton’s all-around skills have made her a key player for the New Zealand rugby sevens team, and she has helped lead the team to numerous victories.
Broughton’s impressive performances have earned her numerous accolades throughout her career. She was named the New Zealand Rugby Women’s Sevens Player of the Year in 2017 and 2018, and was also named to the World Rugby Women’s Sevens Dream Team in 2017 and 2018. In addition, she was a key player for New Zealand at the 2018 Commonwealth Games, where she helped lead the team to a gold medal.
Off the field, Broughton is known for her positive attitude and her commitment to the sport of rugby. She has spoken openly about the challenges she has faced in her career, including injuries and the pressures of being a professional athlete. Broughton has also been an advocate for the development of women’s rugby, and has worked to inspire young girls to take up the sport.
These 5 players represent the best of women’s rugby in 2023, and are sure to continue making waves in the sport for years to come. With their exceptional skills, dedication, and hard work, they are an inspiration to fans and aspiring rugby players around the world.
