Speed is one of the most electrifying assets in rugby, and when it comes to women’s rugby, the pace on display is nothing short of world-class. Across Sevens and XVs formats, elite female players have dazzled fans with their lightning-fast sprints, evasive footwork, and blistering acceleration. Whether it’s breaking the defensive line or chasing down opponents with last-ditch tackles, speed can change the outcome of a match in seconds. The top 10 fastest female rugby players embody this game-changing athleticism, redefining how speed influences success on the field.
In recent years, the global spotlight on women’s rugby has grown rapidly, and with it, so has the appreciation for individual brilliance—especially the sheer speed of some of the sport’s brightest stars. From Olympic medallists to World Cup legends, these women aren’t just fast—they’re game-breakers who redefine athletic limits.
This list of the top 10 fastest female rugby players includes stars who have dominated the sevens circuit, tormented defenders in full-field XVs, and stunned crowds with their sprinting ability. Players like Portia Woodman, Jaz Joyce, and Ellia Green have clocked speeds that rival elite sprinters, while others combine raw pace with positional intelligence to leave their mark on the international stage.
Join us as we count down the top 10 fastest female rugby players in the world—athletes who continue to raise the bar with every breath-taking run and match-defining breakaway.
Top 10 Fastest Female Rugby Players in the World you must know:
10. Rhona Lloyd (Scotland)
Rhona Lloyd is one of the most exciting players in Scottish rugby, known for her searing speed and explosive running lines. A winger with a background in athletics, Lloyd consistently clocks among the fastest sprint times in the women’s game. Among the top 10 fastest female rugby players, her acceleration off the mark and ability to beat defenders one-on-one have made her a standout in both Sevens and XVs formats.
Lloyd has been a crucial part of Scotland’s national team, bringing flair and finishing ability to a side that is rapidly improving on the international stage. Her performances in the Premier 15s with GB Sevens and Loughborough Lightning have further cemented her reputation as a world-class speedster. With her eyes now set on Paris 2024, she remains a dangerous weapon for Team GB.
Among the top 10 fastest female rugby players, Rhona Lloyd stands out for her balance of raw pace and intelligent positioning—attributes that make her a game-changer in any format.
| Primary Position | Wing |
| Max Speed | 9.4 m/s (33.8 km/h) |
9. Amee-Leigh Murphy Crowe (Ireland)
Amee-Leigh Murphy Crowe is the pride of Irish rugby and one of the most prolific try-scorers on the global Sevens stage. Known for her blinding pace, she can turn defense into attack in a flash, often leaving defenders trailing behind. Her straight-line speed, combined with crisp footwork, makes her one of the deadliest finishers in World Rugby Sevens.
Murphy Crowe has consistently ranked among the top try-scorers in the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series and was the leading try-scorer in the 2021 season. She plays with a sharp eye for space and has the ability to switch gears instantly, breaking away from tight angles or finishing length-of-the-field runs. Her sprinting background is evident every time she touches the ball.
Among the top 10 fastest female rugby players, Murphy Crowe brings consistency, flair, and pure speed—making her not just a sprinter, but a game-winner with elite instincts.
| Primary Position | Wing (Sevens) |
| Max Speed | 9.5 m/s (34.2 km/h) |
8. Alysha Corrigan (Canada)
Alysha Corrigan has quietly become one of the fastest rising stars in Canadian rugby, combining raw sprint speed with exceptional agility and vision. As a winger and fullback, Corrigan has used her explosive pace to carve through defensive lines and execute crucial breakaways for both club and country. Her standout performances during the 2021 Rugby World Cup earned her global recognition, especially in Canada’s thrilling win over the USA where she scored a momentum-shifting try. Among the top 10 fastest female rugby players, Corrigan is known for her acceleration and ability to create space from nothing—making her a vital weapon for the Canadian backline.
Corrigan’s ability to maintain top speed while changing direction is what truly sets her apart. She’s a nightmare for defenders in broken play, able to cut angles sharply and accelerate instantly. Her speed has also been an asset in defense—chasing down runners and shutting down wide threats with ease.
Among the top 10 fastest female rugby players, Alysha Corrigan represents the new generation of hybrid backs: powerful, precise, and lightning quick. Her continued development on the international stage makes her a vital component of Canada’s push toward global rugby dominance.
| Primary Position | Wing / Fullback |
| Max Speed | 9.6 m/s (34.6 km/h) |
7. Jasmine “Jaz” Joyce (Wales)
Jaz Joyce is one of the most electrifying athletes to ever represent Wales in rugby. With a background in athletics and a fearless attacking style, she’s known for breaking lines and leaving defenders in her wake. Whether playing Sevens or XVs, Joyce brings top-tier acceleration and elusive footwork to every match, making her a constant scoring threat.
Her performances in the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series and at the Olympic Games have been world-class. Joyce’s ability to combine lateral agility with straight-line speed makes her a nightmare to defend. She can shift through defensive gaps at full tilt and still control the ball with surgical precision. As a result, she’s become a central figure in Team GB’s Sevens setup and a fan favorite in Wales’ XVs side.
Among the top 10 fastest female rugby players, Jaz Joyce stands tall for her unpredictability, quickness, and fearless style. She’s more than just fast—she’s explosive, clutch, and always dangerous.
| Primary Position | Wing / Sevens Utility |
| Max Speed | 9.7 m/s (34.9 km/h) |
6. Ellia Green (Australia)
Ellia Green is one of the most iconic speedsters among the top 10 fastest female rugby players in history. A former track and field sprinter turned rugby powerhouse, Green played a pivotal role in Australia’s rise in the Sevens format, especially during their historic gold medal run at the 2016 Rio Olympics. Her straight-line speed and muscular build made her nearly impossible to catch in open play.
Green was renowned for her devastating pace on the wing—capable of covering the length of the field in seconds. Defenders often found themselves chasing shadows as she burst through gaps and turned half-chances into game-changing tries. At her peak, she was among the fastest athletes in the entire sport, clocking sprint speeds that rivaled elite-level track athletes.
Although she retired from international rugby in 2021, Green’s legacy remains untouchable. Among the top 10 fastest female rugby players, Ellia Green earns her spot not just for raw speed, but for how she changed the game with her explosive style and athletic dominance.
| Primary Position | Wing (Sevens) |
| Max Speed | 9.8 m/s (35.3 km/h) |
5. Cheta Emba (USA)
Cheta Emba brings a rare mix of explosive speed, strength, and athletic versatility to the USA Women’s Eagles and Sevens team. A former NCAA Division I soccer goalkeeper and Harvard graduate, Emba transitioned to rugby and quickly became one of the fastest and most dynamic athletes on the pitch. Her ability to reach top speed within just a few strides, even from a standing start, makes her a lethal weapon on the wing and in open-field play.
What sets Emba apart is her acceleration combined with size—she’s not only fast but incredibly difficult to bring down. Her standout performances in the HSBC Sevens Series and World Cup matches have shown her ability to create scoring chances out of nothing, using pure speed to outpace world-class defenders. In both attack and defense, she covers ground faster than nearly anyone in the game.
Among the top 10 fastest female rugby players, Cheta Emba represents the perfect blend of raw athleticism, speed, and evolving rugby skill—making her one of the most feared finishers in the women’s game today.
| Primary Position | Wing / Sevens Forward |
| Max Speed | 9.9 m/s (35.6 km/h) |
4. Alowesi Nakoci (Fiji)
Alowesi Nakoci is a pure speed merchant and one of the brightest stars in Fijiana rugby. A standout in both the Sevens and XVs formats, Nakoci’s sprinting ability and fearless running have helped elevate Fiji’s women’s team onto the world stage. Her breakaway tries at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics were instrumental in securing Fiji’s historic bronze medal—its first-ever Olympic medal in women’s rugby.
Nakoci’s top-end speed allows her to break past even the most disciplined defensive lines. She’s often spotted finishing from long range, sprinting the length of the pitch with elegant stride and unmatched acceleration. Her performances on the World Sevens Series circuit have been electrifying, with commentators frequently highlighting her as one of the fastest players in the game.
Among the top 10 fastest female rugby players, Alowesi Nakoci stands out not only for her raw speed but for her ability to deliver under pressure—proving herself time and again against the world’s best. Her rise from a small village in Fiji to Olympic stardom is a true testament to talent, training, and top-tier athleticism.
| Primary Position | Wing (Sevens) |
| Max Speed | 10.0 m/s (36.0 km/h) |
3. Magali Harvey (Canada)
Magali Harvey is one of the most iconic and electrifying backs ever to wear the Canadian jersey. Known for her explosive speed, razor-sharp sidesteps, and incredible finishing ability, Harvey rose to prominence during the 2014 Women’s Rugby World Cup, where she was awarded the IRB Women’s Player of the Year. Her stunning 80-metre solo try against France in the semifinal became an instant classic and cemented her status as a global rugby sensation. As one of the top 10 fastest female rugby players, Harvey’s sprinting ability and game-breaking performances have made her a legendary figure in women’s rugby history.
Harvey’s top-end pace has always been her biggest weapon. She could shift gears faster than most defenders could react, making her a lethal option out wide or on counterattacks. Whether in Sevens or XVs, she used her sprinting ability to create space and carve through defensive structures with ease.
Even after brief periods away from the international scene, Harvey’s speed and impact remain undeniable. Among the top 10 fastest female rugby players, Magali Harvey ranks near the very top—not only for her raw pace but for the way she changed games with her thrilling runs and confident style of play.
| Primary Position | Wing / Fullback |
| Max Speed | 10.1 m/s (36.4 km/h) |
2. Michaela Blyde (New Zealand)
Michaela Blyde is a blisteringly fast winger and a cornerstone of New Zealand’s all-conquering Black Ferns Sevens squad. As one of the top 10 fastest female rugby players, she combines world-class sprinting speed with elite game awareness. With a strong background in track and field, Blyde often outruns entire defensive lines with ease. Her top gear, explosive acceleration, and clean finishing have made her one of the most feared players in the world of rugby sevens.
Blyde’s trophy case speaks volumes—multiple World Sevens Series titles, a World Cup gold, and Olympic medals. She was named World Rugby Women’s Sevens Player of the Year twice (2017, 2018), underlining her dominance on the global stage. What makes Blyde truly dangerous is not just her pace, but her ability to read the game, time her runs, and exploit even the smallest defensive lapse.
Among the top 10 fastest female rugby players, Michaela Blyde earns her place near the very top for combining raw sprint speed with elite rugby IQ and finishing prowess. She remains a fan favourite and a consistent match-winner in the sport’s fastest format.
| Primary Position | Wing (Sevens) |
| Max Speed | 10.2 m/s (36.7 km/h) |
1. Portia Woodman-Wickliffe (New Zealand)
Portia Woodman-Wickliffe stands undisputed as the fastest and most dominant player among the top 10 fastest female rugby players the world has ever seen. A former netballer and track athlete turned rugby superstar, Woodman’s top-end speed, combined with incredible strength and footwork, makes her virtually unstoppable. Her try-scoring record is unparalleled—over 200 international tries across Sevens and XVs formats.
Woodman’s breakout came during the 2013–2016 Sevens seasons, where she routinely torched defenses with length-of-the-field sprints. In XVs, her World Cup performance in 2017 was historic, including an 8-try haul against Hong Kong. Her ability to reach top speed in just a few steps and maintain that velocity with perfect control makes her not only the fastest but also the most effective finisher in the game.
What truly elevates her above all others is her consistency at the elite level for over a decade. Whether it’s the Olympics, World Cups, or the World Series, she’s delivered jaw-dropping performances every time.
Among the top 10 fastest female rugby players, Portia Woodman-Wickliffe reigns supreme—combining track-star speed with rugby intelligence, finishing instincts, and a fierce competitive edge that has redefined women’s rugby globally.
| Primary Position | Wing (Sevens & XVs) |
| Max Speed | 10.4 m/s (37.4 km/h) |
FAQs
Who is the fastest female rugby player in the world?
Portia Woodman-Wickliffe is widely regarded as the fastest among the top 10 fastest female rugby players in the world, clocking a top speed of 37.4 km/h.
What is considered a fast speed in women’s rugby?
Any top-end sprint above 34 km/h is considered elite in women’s rugby, and the top 10 fastest female rugby players regularly exceed 36 km/h.
Are Sevens players faster than XVs players?
Yes, generally. Sevens rugby players, including stars like Michaela Blyde and Amee-Leigh Murphy Crowe from the top 10 fastest female rugby players list, are trained for speed and agility, often clocking elite sprint speeds.
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