‘Other than KFC’: Jorja Miller keeps it real after joining elite SVNS club

Jorja Miller was labelled a generational talent after breaking into the Black Ferns Sevens as a teenager. It didn’t take the Cantabrian long to stand out in a team full of legends, helping the side win Olympic gold in Paris and numerous HSBC SVNS Series events over the years. 

Miller is now part of an exclusive club of all-time greats, with World Rugby recognising the 22-year-old as the Sevens Player of the Year for the second time. Michaela Brake (nee Blyde) and Charlotte Caslick are the only other two-time winners. 

In an elite high-performance environment like the Black Ferns Sevens, Miller continues to score tries for fun and is consistently a game-breaker at the highest level. RugbyPass writers recognsied that throughout the season, naming Miller the website’s SVNS Series MVP. 

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The Black Ferns Sevens didn’t get the fairytale finish they were after at the World Championship decider in Bordeaux, falling to Australia 26-19. But after the full-time whistle and then the 2026 HSBC SVNS Awards, Miller collected the sport’s top individual prize. 

Miller was crowned the world’s best for the second season running and was named in the Women’s SVNS Dream Team of the Year in partnership with HSBC. Before walking off the field at Stade Atlantique, Miller stopped for one minute and 46 seconds to reflect on the achievement. 

“An absolute honour to be named it once but to get it for a second time, stoked. Honestly all the credit goes to the girls around me, and I know it sounds cliche but without these girls, I wouldn’t be here and I wouldn’t be able to succeed on the world stage,” Miller told RugbyPass in Bordeaux. 

“This for me is a team award and just proud of the team. 

“Other than KFC I’d say I’m just really driven to be better, to be the best in the world. I think that that motivates me every day. But [being] surrounded by people that want to be the best versions of themselves on and off the field drives that as well,” she added, when asked to pinpoint the secret behind her SVNS success.

“I know I’m nowhere near where I want to be and there’s so much more to go. I’m just excited for what that looks like.” 

Miller was nominated for the World Rugby accolade alongside Ariana Ramsey, who became the first woman from the USA to be shortlisted for the award. Australia’s Maddison Levi was also in the mix, looking to become a two-time recipient after another standout campaign.  

Levi scored seven tries across three matches the week before at SVNS Valladolid, before picking up a tournament-ending injury. The Australian returned for the business end of the event in Bordeaux and ended up making a season-defining difference. 

Heidi Dennis fended off Manaia Nuku to race away for the opener four minutes into the final, before Nuku hit back just before the break. But in the final play of the half, Australia co-captain Isaballa Nasser sent Levi through for a five-pointer along the right sideline. 

The two teams traded tries early in the second term before Levi iced the decider with an effort in the dying stages. Levi was recognised as the Player of the Final, with Australia doing enough to claim the 2026 HSBC SVNS World Championship title. 

“We wanted to take home the World Series trophy and we didn’t,” Miller reflected. 

“That’s probably sitting a bit strong on the heart at the moment. I guess in a few days I’ll be able to reflect and have a lot of pride and happiness about this award but for now it’s just about getting around the girls and just staying together, connecting. 

“That’s what we wanted. That’s what we came here to do and just didn’t achieve it.”