LONDON (AP) — At her first Rugby World Cup at the age of 18, Braxton Sorensen-McGee finished as the leading try-scorer and point-scorer.

Then, after helping New Zealand beat France 42-26 for the bronze medal at Twickenham on Saturday, she was selected world rugby's breakthrough player of the year.

“Pretty unreal,” she said. "No words can really explain how I feel right now but I feel great.

“I actually didn't think that I would be close to that (award) at the beginning of the tournament, but here now I'm grateful for how hard I worked for it.”

Sorensen-McGee has been a sensation for the Black Ferns since her two-try debut in May against Australia. A willowy frame gives her a potent grace.

At the World Cup, the youngest of the Black Ferns took her game to another level.

There were hat

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