Round two of the 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup was nothing short of spectacular. The headlines belonged to England, who tore through Samoa to post a personal tournament record, while the USA and Australia played out a pulsating draw that already feels destined for the highlight reels.
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Elsewhere, Ireland’s momentum gathered pace against Spain, New Zealand showed their ruthless edge and France’s precision shut down a spirited Brazilian side. Italy and South Africa served up a bruising, old-fashioned arm wrestle, and Scotland bested Fiji with both sides showcasing their high-flying backs.
TEAM OF THE WEEK: 2025 WOMEN’S RUGBY WORLD CUP – ROUND 2 (POOL STAGES)
15. Braxton Sorensen-McGee (New Zealand)
Ruck Reporter George Wellbelove was taken aback by Sorensen-McGee’s efforts, as New Zealand dispatched of Japan. “One of the most complete performances in World Cup history. The 18 year old showed no signs of immaturity or nervousness and rounded off a brilliant showing with a hat trick. Adept at all parts of the game and was ruthless. A very promising future ahead.”
14. Jess Breach (England)
On the score-sheet after just eight minutes, as Jess Breach bagged her 50th England try in fine fashion on her 49th cap. A darting run along the touchline gave the Samoan defenders no hope. Breach was turned over on the deck just before half-time, as Samoa found their feet late in the first 40. Over for her second score at 53 minutes thanks to a brilliant offload from Kelsey Clifford. Completed her hat-trick at the 75th minute with a stunning goose-step to explode around the wing.
Honourable Mention: Rhona Llyod (Scotland)
13. Megan Jones (England)
Megan Jones wasted no time making her mark after missing out on a score in the 11-try riot against the USA. Crossed first for England after just three minutes in Northampton, and soon added her second with a powerful fend and break. Received medical attention following a heavy hit at 27 minutes but played on strongly. Brilliant across both sides of the ball, the Trailfinders star paved the way for England.
Honourable Mentions: Ilona Maher (USA) and Stacey Waaka (New Zealand)
12. Bianca Silva (Brazil)
What a moment it was for Brazil, as the South American side scored their first ever try at the Rugby World Cup. Replacement back Bianca Silva provided the finish, with no shortage of style in the dazzling and darting run through the heart of the French defence. Whilst it was a brutally tough defeat to Les Bleus, Brazil and Bianca Silva had their moment in the sun.
11. Francesca McGhie (Scotland)
Back in RUCK’s Women’s Rugby World Cup Team of the Week for the second round in a row, Francesa McGhie now has five tries across two tournament matches. After bagging a hat-trick in Scotland’s opening round win over Wales, McGhie was excellent against Fiji, with continuous carving runs contributing to a brace of scores.
Honourable Mention: Desiree Miller (Australia)
10. Helena Rowland (England)
A fan favourite at Franklin’s Gardens, the Loughborough Lightning star stepped up to start at fly-half with Zoe Harrison rotated to the bench. Rowland was excellent from the tee, landing 11 of 14 conversions, and bagging a try to her personal tally, slipping around the short side after Moloney-Macdonald’s break. A commanding performance at the helm of England’s backline, Rowland’s presence was a measured head as the Red Roses could well have gotten complacent. Rowland set an all-time best personal points tally for an England player in Women’s Rugby World Cup match, with a grand total of 27 on the day.
9. Pauline Bourdon-Sansus (France)
Against Brazil, Pauline Bourdon-Sansus brought both tempo and tenacity. The French scrum-half dictated the pace around the breakdown, zipping passes that allowed France’s forwards to dominate the gainline. When the match demanded composure, her game management shone, mixing kicks with sniping runs to keep Brazil guessing. A leader in every sense, Bourdon-Sansus drove her side to a shutout win with her blend of vision, energy, and control, and even grabbed a try at the heartbeat of Les Bleus.
1. McKinley Hunt (Canada)
“Operated unbelievably throughout. A 48 minute showing and she was absolutely everywhere. Two tries from short range, Hunt often found herself in the back row channels where she was particularly effective.” George Wellbelove wrote, in his Canada Player Ratings vs Wales. 2. Vittoria Vecchini (Italy)
Italy’s clash with South Africa was a brutal arm-wrestle, and Vittoria Vecchini’s contribution in the trenches proved vital. Her accuracy at the lineout gave Italy steady possession against a towering Springbok pack, while her physicality in defence blunted the South African maul. Carrying hard into heavy traffic, she refused to yield an inch. In a game defined by collisions, Vecchini’s grit and reliability stood out, the hooker providing Italy with backbone, bite and an important try to stay in the fight.
3. DaLeaka Menin (Canada)
In Salford, DaLeaka Menin delivered a masterclass in front-row dominance as Canada overpowered Wales. Her scrummaging was ferocious, routinely driving the opposition pack backwards and laying a foundation for Canadian control. Beyond the set-piece, Menin’s physicality in contact was relentless, every carry dented the Welsh defence, every tackle a statement of intent. This was a prop dictating the terms, and Wales simply could not match her intensity,
4. Nolusindiso Booi (South Africa)
South Africa’s courageous captain, who guided the Springbok Women to their first ever Women’s Rugby World Cup quarter-final. Qualification for the Green and Gold’s is secure, with Cindy Booi at the heart of the win over Italy. The lock bossed the line-out, calling plays with precision and stealing opposition throws to choke off any momentum. Her leadership galvanised the South African pack, setting the tone for South Africa’s dominant display. Defensively, Booi was everywhere, with the second row disrupting mauls, hitting rucks, and anchoring the Springbok resistance.
5. Erica Jarrell-Searcy (USA)
A week after scoring a stunning breakaway try against England in the opening weekend, USA lock Erica Jarrell-Searcy had another strong outing for the stars and stripes. Jarrell-Searcy carried tirelessly, refusing to be cowed by the heavily favoured Wallaroos. Her fight embodied the Eagles’ resilience, as she led the spark of defiance on an unforgettable match in Women’s Rugby World Cup history.
6. Freda Tafuna (USA)
“A night to remember. On the eve of her 22nd birthday, she put in a monster performance, bursting into life with USA’s first try to spark their comeback. Her quick hands and offloads in the buildup to other scores showed her awareness, and she was a constant running threat. Went on to score a second through the driving maul, before completing her hat trick with a close-range finish, perfectly timing her run. Carried tirelessly all game and was arguably USA’s standout”. – RUCK Reporter Charlie Elliott wrote.
7. Jorja Miller (New Zealand)
“A brace of tries for the outstanding flanker. The true definition of what a hybrid player is as she possesses all the skills to play pretty much anywhere on the field. She is pivotal to New Zealand’s success but will need to tighten up in defence. A couple of penalties given away ensured that Japan would remain in control in the first few minutes of the match.” – Ruck’s George Wellbelove writes.
8. Grace Moore (Ireland)
“What a game for Grace Moore! The number 8 had an incredible game bagging herself two tries in just ten minutes, while also playing a part in other tries.” – RUCK Reporter Megan Carthew was impressed by the Ireland back row, as the Emerald Islanders recorded a significant win over Spain in Northampton.