'Almost started crying': Black Ferns duo nominated for World Rugby awards

When Elinor-Plum King made her test debut for the Black Ferns this year, she did so starting in the loose trio alongside longtime friend Kaipo Olsen-Baker.

Both players put in strong performances in the 66-19 win over the Wallaroos in Auckland, setting the tone for a busy end-of-year schedule which has seen the team take on South Africa, Scotland, England and France.

Speaking after the win over the Wallaroos, Olsen-Baker said she was grateful to be able to run out alongside King, who was two years behind Olsen-Baker at Manukura School in Palmerston North and was her teammate at Matatū this year.

“Just to see her growth in the game, as a person, I’m just so excited that I get to watch her grow and be on the journey with her.”

Now, that journey is taking the two Manawatū products to the pinnacle of the sport.

Black Ferns No 8 Olsen-Baker has been named a finalist for World Rugby Women’s 15s Player of the Year, while openside flanker King is in the running for Women’s 15s Breakthrough Player of the Year.

Black Ferns No 8 Kaipo Olsen-Baker is a finalist for World Rugby Women's 15s Player of the Year. Photo / Smartframe

Olsen-Baker is a finalist alongside Canada’s DaLeaka Menin and English duo Zoe Harrison and Megan Jones, while King joins Pauline Barrat of France, Australia’s Amelia Whitaker and Bella Vogel of the United States

“I was really shocked. I mean, if you asked me or if you told me three months ago that I’d be here in this team and nominated for this award, I would just be so surprised. And I think for my whānau it means heaps and from where I come from,” King said.

“When they told me that Kaipo was up for nomination too, that’s when I almost started crying or when I started getting a bit emotional. [It’s] so special. I mean, I’ve got to follow in her footsteps from school, in my region, and I followed her here to Matatū as well, so it’s just really special and cool to see her get nominated for something she deserves so much.”

King has made a strong start to her career in test rugby. After making her debut against the Wallaroos, the 22-year-old owned the No 7 jersey and made six straight starts at openside before making way for Layla Sae to get an opportunity in the second home test against France last weekend in Whangārei.

The Black Ferns conclude their season with a third test against the French in Christchurch this weekend, with head coach Whitney Hansen suggesting to Newstalk ZB’s D’Arcy Waldegrave on Sunday that they would likely select their best possible team to close out the year after balancing experience with opportunity throughout the season.

It remains to be seen, however, if Olsen-Baker will be available for selection after the 24-year-old suffered a lower-leg injury in the first half of the win in Whangārei. Olsen-Baker was in a moonboot on Tuesday, but was noncommittal on her availability for the test.

Hooker Atlanta Lolohea (ankle) and halfback Tara Turner (concussion) have already been ruled out of the team’s final test of the year, with Holly Wratt-Groeneweg and Ariana Bayler joining the squad as injury cover.

Christopher Reive joined the Herald sports team in 2017, bringing the same versatility to his coverage as he does to his sports viewing habits.