Portia Woodman-Wickliffe: 'Paris Olympics will be my last time playing in the black jersey'
One of the most recognisable and decorated players in world rugby, New Zealand's Portia Woodman-Wickliffe, has announced she will retire from international rugby after the Paris Olympics.
A fan favourite, Woodman-Wickliffe has been a star of both the sevens and XVs game for more than a decade, having an impact on and off the field.
Starting as a professional netballer, Woodman-Wickliffe was introduced to rugby through the Go4Gold programme and was part of the first Black Ferns Sevens team to play on the World Series in 2012.
A Rugby World Cup winner in 2017 and 2022, a Rugby World Cup Sevens winner in 2013 and 2018, Olympic gold and silver medallist and Commonwealth Games gold and bronze medallist are just a few of the on-field accolades she has to her name.
A record holder in both games, Woodman-Wickliffe has scored the most tries in Rugby World Cups, with 20, most tries in a Black Ferns Test, with eight, and most tries in Sevens Series history with 256.
She was recognised by World Rugby as Sevens Player of the Year in 2015, Women's Player of the Year (XVs) in 2017 and in 2020 was named as the top women's sevens player of the past decade.
In a social media post, Woodman-Wickliffe reflected on her time in the black jersey. "After 12 incredible years representing New Zealand in sevens and 15s, the upcoming Paris Olympics will be my last time playing in the black jersey.
"Rugby has provided me more than a career, it's given me a second wh?nau in my sisters, opportunities to see the world and experience things I never would have otherwise.?One last dance with my sisters in Paris."
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Kailea should’ve been rated higher. Outstanding defensive work
Go to commentsConsidering this is the worst performance we’re likely to see from this “new” All Blacks side at the start of the Razor era - and the English should rightfully be kicking themselves for not taking their opportunities despite being better/more polished in most aspects of the game - I think England are going to have to work really hard mentally to get up for the next game. England has a tendency to play worse after a good outing or big game. To come so agonizingly close to an historic win against a rusty AB side will take some work to get over. Gonna have to work on that Jamie George! And the ABs will be much better next week! A few wake up calls today too. I thought they’d be much better than they were today. But there’s only up from here.
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