Portia Woodman-Wickliffe signs with surprise club after second Olympic gold

Two-time Olympic gold medallist Portia Woodman-Wickliffe will head overseas to continue her decorated rugby union career after signing a deal to return to 15s with Mie Pearls in Japan’s National Women’s Rugby Championship.

Woodman-Wickliffe has committed to the Yokkaichi-based club for the season that runs from November through to February 2025. It’ll also be a bit of a family affair with Woodman-Wickliffe’s wife, Renee, joining as the club’s new assistant coach.

The New Zealander is widely considered one of the greatest international rugby players of all time, with a CV that includes an unrivalled list of accolades. Woodman-Wickliffe has won two Rugby World Cup titles in 15s and she’s also collected numerous individual honours.

World Rugby recognised the bulldozing winger as the Sevens Player of the Year in 2015, and later the Sevens Player of the Decade in 2020. The 33-year-old was twice named the 15s Player of the Year in 2017 and 2020 as well.

But all good things must come to an end. Woodman-Wickliffe announced before the Paris Olympics that those Games would be her final time playing in the famed black jersey as a sevens player, but it remained unclear as to what was next for the rugby legend.

Woodman-Wickliffe had been linked with a move to the New Zealand Warriors in NRLW as rumours began to swirl about what was next for the superstar athlete. But those rumours have since been squashed with the Kiwi set to move to Japan with her family.

“I’ve been fortune to visit and play in Japan many times with sevens and I’ve always loved the country, the culture and the people,” Woodman-Wickliffe said.

“Having the opportunity to play for the Pearls, alongside a special group of women in an exciting 15s competition is something I’m really looking forward to. I can’t wait to join the Pearls and for our whanau to experience living abroad together, with our daughter Kaia joining us.”

Woodman-Wickliffe bowed out of international rugby sevens with an Olympic gold medal draped around her neck. Team New Zealand took their place on the Olympic podium at Stade de France as worthy champions after beating Canada in a thrilling final.

New Zealand flew through pool play with three dominant victories before booking their place in the final four with a commanding 55-5 win over China – a side who had shocked Fiji earlier in the tournament during the pool stage.

The Kiwis overcame Ilona Maher’s USA 24-12 in the semi-finals, which booked their date with destiny in the gold medal match against Canada. The Canadians had stunned Australia 21-12 in their semi, with the Aussies going on to lose the battle for bronze in another tense clash.

2023 World Rugby Sevens Player of the Year, Tyla King, also left the sport as a champion after announcing her retirement from sevens before the Games as well. Woodman-Wickliffe and co. were worthy champions of gold in front of a record-breaking women’s sevens crowd.

But another chapter in Woodman-Wickliffe’s storied career is yet to be written. Woodman-Wickliffe will begin training with Mie Pearls in late October before the season gets underway the following month.