A massive congratulations to Kendra Cocksedge on winning the World Women’s Player of the Year. This is obviously a huge achievement, especially given the calibre of the other two women nominated,Gaëlle Mignot (France) and Sophie Spence (Ireland).

Kendra is an influential member of the Black Ferns side, both for her prowess as a goal-kicker and the way she unleashes the talented New Zealand backline. She made her test debut aged 19 and this Women’s Rugby World Cup winner is now firmly established in the national team. The 27-year-old was an integral part of New Zealand’s success at the Women’s Rugby Super Series, producing a kicking masterclass as her side beat world champions England along with USA and their hosts Canada to claim the inaugural title.

The nominees were announced one year on from the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2014 final in Paris, when England beat Canada. The tournament was a watershed moment for the women’s game with huge audiences and record-breaking TV viewing figures giving a massive boost to the sport.

World Rugby Chairman Bernard Lapasset said: “On behalf of World Rugby, I wish to extend my congratulations to Gaëlle, Kendra and Sophie for securing their Player of the Year nomination, and for their skill, power, discipline and consistency required to excel at the highest level.