Female rugby players are playing an important role in the world of sports. They have the same commitment, dedication and passion for the game as their male counterparts. The following article is about some of the top 10 female rugby players in the world and their personal life stories and achievements.
The World’s Top 10 Female Rugby Players
There is no doubt that the women’s game has grown in leaps and bounds over the past few years. The standard of rugby being played at the top level is now very high and there are some truly world-class players gracing the pitches.
So, who are the best female rugby players in the world right now? Here are our top 10…
1. Sarah Hirini (New Zealand) – Hirini is a superstar of the women’s game and was a key member of the Black Ferns team that won the 2017 Rugby World Cup. A superb all-round player, she is strong in defence and can also create try-scoring opportunities for her teammates with her attacking prowess.
2. Kendra Cocksedge (New Zealand) – Another world-class New Zealand scrum-half, Cocksedge was named World Rugby Women’s Player of the Year in 2018 after some outstanding performances for both her country and club side, Crusaders. A real threat with ball in hand, she is also an excellent place kicker and has a fantastic boot on her.
3. Tyrrell Burfield (Australia) – One of Australia’s most experienced players, Burfield made her international debut back in 2006 and has since gone on to rack up over 50 caps for her country. A powerful centre, she was part of the Australian team that won silver at last year’s Rugby World Cup Sevens tournament.
#10: Alison Miller
Alison Miller is an Irish rugby union player. She plays for the Connacht Rugby team and the Ireland national rugby sevens team.
Miller made her international debut for Ireland in November 2010 against Wales. She has represented Ireland at the 2012, 2013, and 2015 Women’s Rugby World Cups. In 2016, she was part of the first ever Irish women’s rugby team to win a Grand Slam.
Miller was named the 2017 IRUPA Players’ Player of the Year. She was also named to the World Rugby Women’s Sevens Dream Team in 2018.
#9: Paula Fitzpatrick
Paula Fitzpatrick is an Irish rugby union player. She plays for the national team, as well as Leinster Rugby and Railway Union RFC.
Fitzpatrick made her debut for the Irish national team in 2006, and has since gone on to make over 50 appearances for her country. She was a member of the Irish squad that won the Six Nations Championship in 2013 and 2015, and also played at the 2014 Women’s Rugby World Cup.
In club rugby, Fitzpatrick has enjoyed success with both Leinster and Railway Union. She was part of the Leinster side that won the All-Ireland Division 1 title in 2013/14, and helped Railway Union to win the All-Ireland Club Championship in 2014/15.
Fitzpatrick is widely regarded as one of the best players in the world, and was named World Rugby Player of the Year in 2014.
#8: Pamela Cookey
Pamela Cookey began her rugby career in 2008 with the England Sevens team. She helped her team to a Bronze medal at the 2009 Rugby World Cup Sevens. Cookey then moved to the 15-a-side game and made her England debut in 2010 against Italy.
She was a member of the England team that won the 2014 Six Nations Championship and Grand Slam. Cookey was also part of the England squad that went to the 2015 Rugby World Cup, where they reached the final before losing to New Zealand.
#7: Karen Brown
Karen Brown is a world-renowned rugby player who has represented her country in numerous international competitions. She is known for her speed, agility, and power on the field, and has been one of the top players in the world for many years. Brown began her rugby career with the New Zealand national team, and has since played for clubs in Australia, England, and France. She is currently a member of the England national team, and has helped them to reach the final of the Rugby World Cup twice.
#6: Vanessa Foliaki
Vanessa Foliaki (born March 8, 1988 in Sydney, Australia) is an Australian rugby union player. She made her debut for the Wallaroos against New Zealand in 2010. She was a member of the Australian team that won the 2014 Women’s Rugby World Cup.
Foliaki made her senior representative debut for New South Wales against Queensland in 2009. The following year she was selected for the Wallaroos squad to compete in the 2010 Women’s Rugby World Cup. She started all five games for Australia at centre as they finished sixth overall.
In 2012, Foliaki moved to Perth to join the Western Force women’s team. The following year she was a member of the Force side that won the inaugural Women’s National Rugby Championship (WNRC).
Foliaki was recalled to the Wallaroos squad in 2014 and was a member of the team that won the Women’s Rugby World Cup in England. She started all five games at inside centre as Australia defeated New Zealand 34-15 in the final.
Foliaki has also represented Australia Sevens and was a member of the team that won silver at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.
#5: Margaret Alphonsi
Margaret Alphonsi is a former international rugby union player who represented England and the British Lions. She played in the back row and was widely regarded as one of the best players in the world during her career.
Alphonsi was born in London in 1979 and started playing rugby at the age of seven. She quickly developed into a talented player and went on to play for Saracens Ladies, Wasps Ladies, and England Women. She made her England debut in 2003 and went on to win 74 caps for her country. Alphonsi was a key member of the England team that won the World Cup in 2014, scoring a try in the final against Canada.
After retiring from international rugby in 2014, Alphonsi became a television commentator and pundit for Sky Sports and BT Sport. She has also worked as an ambassador for various organisations, including UNICEF UK.
#4: Kristina O’Hara
Kristina O’Hara is a Canadian rugby player who plays for the Irish national team. She made her debut for Ireland in 2015 and has since played in the 2017 and 2019 Rugby World Cups.
O’Hara was born in Vancouver, Canada and played her junior rugby for the Vancouver Island Wave. She later moved to Ireland to play for UL Bohemians. In 2020, she joined Saracens Women in England.
O’Hara is a versatile player who can play both prop and hooker. She is known for her powerful scrummaging and carries.
#3: Jackie Slessor
One of the top female rugby players in the world is Jackie Slessor. She has played for both the Scottish National Team and the British Lions. She is currently a member of the Harlequins ladies team.
Jackie started her rugby career at the age of eight, when she joined her local team, Raith Rovers. She quickly progressed through the ranks and made her debut for the Scottish National Team at the age of 18. Since then, she has gone on to win over 50 caps for her country.
As well as being a talented rugby player, Jackie is also an accomplished athlete. She has represented Scotland in both track and field athletics. In 2006, she won a bronze medal in the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne.
Jackie is a role model for young girls who want to pursue a career in rugby. She is proof that with hard work and dedication, anything is possible.
#2: Maud Bowe
Maud Bowe is one of the top female rugby players in the world. She has played for the French national team and is currently a member of the Sevens World Series core team.
Bowe started her rugby career at the age of eight, playing for her local club in Toulouse, France. She made her debut for the French national team in 2010, and has since gone on to play in two Rugby World Cups and three Six Nations Championships. In 2016, she was named World Rugby Women’s Player of the Year.
Bowe is known for her speed and agility on the field, as well as her ability to offload the ball to her teammates. She is currently one of the leading try-scorers in the Sevens World Series, with 24 tries in 19 matches.
And Finally, Number One Is ________________
1. And Finally, Number One Is Carla Hohepa
Carla Hohepa is a New Zealand rugby union player. She made her debut for the Black Ferns in 1998 and has since played in three World Cups, winning two of them. She was named IRB Women’s Player of the Year in 2006.
Hohepa is a powerful centre who is known for her strong running and hard-hitting tackling. She is also an excellent kicker and has a good all-round game. She has been one of the leading players in women’s rugby for many years and is widely regarded as one of the best players in the world.