'Most tries ever?': Black Ferns icon loses count in seven-try spectacle

Fans at North Harbour Stadium in Albany were treated to a clinical Black Ferns performance on Saturday afternoon, achieving their 25-point margin needed to win the Pacific Four series, comfortably, winning 79-14 against the USA.

Portia Woodman-Wickliffe and Katelyn Vah’aakolo had all the glory, scoring eleven tries combined against the USA, with both wingers getting a hat-trick in the first half.

Woodman-Wickliffe’s tally of seven tries in the final Pacific Four encounter elevated the electric winger to the Black Ferns’ leading try scorer of all time with 45 tries from 26 Tests, passing Vanessa Coutts’ record of 43 tries in 16 Tests.

“For what? Most tries ever, I didn’t even realise that,” Woodman-Wickliffe said.

When Woodman-Wickliffe talked to the media post-match in Albany, she was unaware of the number of tries she had scored but was full of praise for her teammates.

“Oh I don’t even know how many tries I scored today,” Woodman-Wickliffe told media on the field after the game.

“Yeah, I’m tired but extremely grateful. Those tries are a result of what the team puts out, the scrums, the lineouts, and the handling skills.

“So I’m grateful and like I said, it’s the work that the girls do. Like, I literally just had to put the ball down.

“Just grateful for the girls that do the mahi, I’m grateful for any opportunity I get to represent the country.”

Woodman-Wickliffe admits the team had some tough conversations after the first two games in this year’s Pacific Four series.

“Yeah, we were not happy with our first couple of games, It was a really clunky start to the season, but finishing on that note was amazing.

“We still know there’s a lot to work on, finishing touches and offloads all into contact, all those little opportunities we kind of missed, but really exciting for where we’re heading.”

Black Ferns head coach Allan Bunting agrees with Woodman-Wickliffe, saying that her teammates are the reason the wingers have the opportunities they do.

“Yeah, she would probably say the same thing that the work done on the insides, gives you some space on the edge,” Bunting said.

“She had to work for a couple, but yeah she’s scored a few tries in her time, and good to see her out there getting the ball and some space.”

Black Ferns co-captain Kennedy Tukuafu explained what Woodman-Wickliffe said to the playing group after the game, showcasing her humble attitude while in a black jersey representing New Zealand.

“Yeah, it’s cool because, we go over there, we congratulate her and that’s exactly what she said. It’s a credit to you guys, you keep going well, and you know, we’ll try and keep finishing for you.

“So she’s a brilliant player, and she’s humble, she’s everything, you know, just she’s great for our team.”