Braxton Sorensen-McGee learning from the best, Blues teammate Portia Woodman-Wickliffe
Braxton Sorensen-McGee of the Blues during the Super Rugby Aupiki Grand Final at Eden Park on Saturday.
Photo: Photosport
While many are touting a bright future for Braxton Sorensen-McGee, no-one is setting expectations higher than the player herself.
The teenage sensation won’t be content with one black jersey, she wants three.
Growing up in a rugby league household, with five relatives having played for the Kiwis, Sorensen-McGee is chasing triple code representation, in league, union and sevens.
The 18-year-old has lit up Super Rugby Aupiki in her debut season, also her first year out of high school.
This culminated in a stunning 80 metre intercept try in the final against Matatū which ultimately proved the match winner.
The young superstar admits she has watched the replay of her try a fair few times.
“I’ve actually watched it a lot, and I’ve seen other people watching it which is really cool.
“But yeah, I’ve watched a lot, obviously on my Instagram, so I just keep watching it. It’s pretty cool though to watch.”
Sorensen-McGee had a simple message for herself as she plucked the ball out of the sky.
“Just to run, don’t stop and then obviously when the Matatū player got their hands on me, I looked to see if there was someone there, but there wasn’t.
“So I just had to keep running, just don’t get caught, keep running.”
The moment has sparked a wave of media attention, but she is taking it in her stride.
“Obviously only being 18 and getting all this love from other people is really, really cool.”
Braxton Sorensen-McGee of Auckland scores a try. Auckland Storm v Bay of Plenty Volcanix, Farah Palmer Cup women’s rugby union match at Colin Maiden Park, Auckland.
Photo: Andrew Cornaga / www.photosport.nz
Fortunately, she has the greatest women’s player in history to lean on for advice in Portia Woodman-Wickliffe.
“It’s been really good in my personal growth in the game.
“Obviously Portia is Portia; her ability to just break the line and her experience, she’s taught me a lot and it’s really good being in this environment because obviously I’m playing with some of the best athletes in the world, so it’s good to learn off them, play off them, and then also them play off me as well.”
The senior members of the squad have been happy to offer the wunderkind advice.
“They have told me just back myself, be myself, bring what I have to the team. So that’s inspired me a lot to obviously play freely, play confidently and just be myself on the field.”
While it was back to back for the Blues at the weekend, there is still one job to do with the Waratahs awaiting in the inaugural trans-Tasman Super Rugby Women final.
Braxton Sorensen of NZ Clubs 18s Girls- NZRL 16s and 18s Boys and Girls Representative games, held Bruce Pullman Park, Takanini, Auckland,New Zealand on Monday 23rd October 2023.
Photo: Photosport
The increased spotlight on Sorensen-McGee will no doubt force a conversation within the Waratahs to shut her down.
“Hopefully not, but if I do, then just keep my cool, keep calm, be myself and play for the team.”
Beyond Thursday’s final, Sorensen-McGee is eyeing up the first of her three coveted jerseys.
“Obviously to get selected for the World Cup, that’d be unreal.”
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