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Women's Internationals

Black Ferns icon Portia Woodman-Wickliffe re-retires from international rugby

By Ned Lester

47 days ago

Portia Woodman-Wickliffe of New Zealand inspects the pitch prior to the Women's Rugby World Cup 2025 Bronze Final match between New Zealand and France at Twickenham Stadium on September 27, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Morgan Harlow - World Rugby/World Rugby via Getty Images)

New Zealand’s all-time leading try-scorer, Portia Woodman-Wickliffe, has announced her international retirement for the second time.

With her first attempt at international retirement ultimately a short-lived endeavour due to a Rugby World Cup itch that demanded scratching last year, the 34-year-old’s announcement on Thursday was an expected curtain call.

Woodman-Wickliffe owns nearly every try-scoring record under the sun in the women’s game and beyond, and her trophy cabinet includes two Rugby World Cup titles, two Sevens World Cup gold medals and one silver, Olympic gold (x2) and silver medals, Commonwealth gold and bronze medals, and two Super Rugby Aupiki titles.

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The Kawakawa icon’s time in the black jersey is sure to be remembered in the halls of rugby immortality.

“I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to represent my country, my iwi (tribe), my hapu (community) and my whanau (family) one last time on the World Cup stage, a moment I will cherish forever. As I step into this next chapter of my life, I feel both excited and a little nervous, but I’m ready,” Woodman-Wickliffe said in a statement released on Black Ferns’ social media.

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The winger has been named World Rugby Women’s Player of the Year twice and World Rugby Sevens Player of the Year once. Ahead of the 2025 Rugby World Cup, Woodman-Wickliffe was named the No.1 player in the world on RugbyPass’ Top 50 list.

Fans were quick to congratulate the former professional netballer on social media, with hundreds of comments crowning her the greatest to ever lace up a pair of rugby boots.

Comments

5 Comments

Courtney20 43 days ago

She will go down as a legend. Strength, power, speed and agility as well as unparalleled try scoring record is why she will be in the conversation as one of the all time female greats for a very long time.

BC1812 45 days ago

She’s been one of the better wingers certainly but largely a 7s player where there is a lot more room, but in 15s I would always have picked Abby Dow before her.

KwAussie 46 days ago

What an absolute legend. She has doe so much to encourage young girls and boys into the game. Thank you so much for all you have done for NZ rugby and good luck with whatever the future holds.

TI 46 days ago

The GOAT female rugby winger for sure. Such an engine, same size tacklers just flying off her. Incredible feet, incredible leg drive through tackle, she knew how to pick her spots, perfect positioning and run timing. She made every team better. It’s been a pleasure to have watched her play.

She could easily keep playing, but it’s her decision.

Chris929 46 days ago

definitely one of the greatest female rugby players-such a great mix of power and pace. Won so much over her career in 15s and 7s. She probably though will be disappointed she went out with a fairly quiet world cup by her standards. Perhaps she will stay in the game in some role.

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