Portia Woodman-Wickliffe announces she will retire from international rugby soon

One of the most recognisable and decorated players in world rugby, Portia Woodman-Wickliffe, has today announced her retirement from international rugby after the Paris Olympics.

Woodman-Wickliffe is a fan favourite and has been a star player in both the Sevens and XVs for over a decade, making a huge impact both on and off the field.

Woodman-Wickliffe started out as a professional netballer and was introduced to rugby through the Go4Gold programme. In 2012 he was part of the first Black Ferns Sevens team to play in the World Series.

She won the Rugby World Cup in 2017 and 2022, the Rugby World Cup Sevens in 2013 and 2018, a gold and silver medal at the Olympic Games and a gold and bronze medal at the Commonwealth Games. These are just some of the accolades she has to her name.

Woodman-Wickliffe holds the record in both disciplines, having scored the most tries in Rugby World Cups (20), the most tries in a Black Ferns Test (8) and the most tries in Sevens Series history (256).

In 2015 she was named World Rugby Sevens Player of the Year, in 2017 Women’s Player of the Year (XVs) and in 2020 she was named the best women’s sevens player of the past decade.

In a social media post, Woodman-Wickliffe reflected on her time in the black shirt.

“After 12 incredible years representing New Zealand in the sevens and 15s, the upcoming Olympic Games in Paris will be the last time I play in the black jersey.

“Rugby has given me more than a career, it has given me a second whānau in my sisters, opportunities to see the world and experience things I would never have otherwise experienced. A last dance with my sisters in Paris,” Woodman-Wickliffe said.

Mark Robinson, CEO of New Zealand Rugby, said:

“It is impossible to measure the impact Portia has had on rugby. She is a once-in-a-generation player who has reached the top on the field, multiple times, and off the field has helped grow the women’s game around the world, where she is an incredible ambassador and represents everything that is great about our game.”

“We talk a lot in New Zealand rugby about winning with mana and Portia certainly embodies that.”

Black Ferns Sevens coach Cory Sweeney noted that Woodman-Wickliffe has had a huge impact on the game.

“It has been a great privilege to be part of Portia’s journey over the past eight years. I feel incredibly excited as I watch her dominate and influence the game. She will be greatly missed, but there is still a huge opportunity for her to go out and deepen the legacy she leaves behind,” said Sweeney.

Woodman-Wickliffe will wear the black jersey for the last time in Paris. It is her third participation in the Olympic Games.