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‘It sets the tone’: Woodman-Wickliffe on what try-scoring history would mean
By Finn Morton
Portia Woodman-Wickliffe will become the first New Zealand rugby player to score 50 Test tries if the winger dots the ball down against Japan on Sunday. This achievement would add to Woodman-Wickliffe’s legend in rugby, and it’d also set the tone for the next generation.
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Woodman-Wickliffe scored with about 19 minutes left in New Zealand’s win over Spain last time out in York, as the defending champions started their 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup campaign with a clinical 54-8 win.
That try saw Woodman-Wickliffe draw level with Doug Howlett’s long-standing record as the all-time top try-scorer as a New Zealander in the Test arena. Incredibly, the Black Ferns winger has matched that feat in only 29 international 15s appearances.
History is within reach for Woodman-Wickliffe, who will start on the right wing against Japan at Exeter’s Sandy Park this weekend. After backflipping on plans to retire from international rugby in April, Woodman-Wickliffe could very well do something that no Black Fern or All Black has done.
“It sets the tone for all women in sport, all women rugby players, anything is achievable with a supportive environment and an absolute belief in yourself, but again it comes down to the team and environment,” Woodman-Wickliffe told reporters when asked about the record.
“I am extremely proud to have scored as many tries as I have. What I would love to impart to any young athlete coming through is to chase your dreams, you never know where it’s going to end up. Just have a crack at it.”
Woodman-Wickliffe is already a dual Rugby World Cup winner (2017 & 2022) and has helped Team New Zealand claim back-to-back Olympic gold medals in rugby sevens. The New Zealander also became the first women’s player to score 250 tries in sevens, reaching that feat in 2024.
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The list of accolades just goes on and on, having also won multiple SVNS Series crowns, and medals at both the Commonwealth Games and Rugby Sevens World Cup. Woodman-Wickliffe helped the Blues take out the Super Rugby Aupiki and Champions Final titles this year too.
Woodman-Wickliffe was also once recognised as the Sevens Player of the Decade, and the Kiwi holds the record for most tries in Rugby World Cup history. It’s an unrivalled rugby CV that could very well include more history this weekend, or in the weeks ahead.
“Sometimes it feels like a cringe moment that I retired and did this big announcement and now I’m back! It’s exciting. I love rugby, I love the girls,” Woodman-Wickliffe added.
“These ones give me stick day in, day out and that’s why I love the game. To be able to chase these achievements is an amazing opportunity. What I love the most is the people and playing the game and I couldn’t say no when I was so close to this opportunity as well.”
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Woodman-Wickliffe comes into the starting side as one of the changes to the Black Ferns line-up. Backrower Kennedy Tukuafu is set to return to the Test arena for the first time since the Pacific Four Series, named at openside flanker, with Jorja Miller shifting to blindside.
Braxton Sorensen-McGee also shifts positions, moving from the right wing to fullback. Katelyn Vahaakolo, Atlanta Lolohea, Visinia Mahutariki-Fakelelu, Maia Joseph and Kate Henwood have all been named to make their World Cup debuts.
New Zealand passed their first Test at the tournament with a big win over Spain last weekend, but Japan pose another tough challenge, having shown signs of promise in their loss to Ireland at Northampton’s Franklin’s Gardens in round one.
“The expectations of a winger has changed, or maybe I’ve learned to be a better winger now – more getting involved in the game, multiple touches, work throughout the phases, not just waiting for the ball, it’s probably my biggest work-on at this World Cup,” Woodman-Wickliffe said.
“And most importantly having fun with the girls. It’s an exciting game.”
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