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Why Black Ferns great Portia Woodman decided to sign on with the Blues
SENZ • October 22nd, 2024 10:45 am
It appears Black Ferns great Portia Woodman-Wickliffe isn't done just yet with rugby in Aotearoa, signing a one-year deal with the Blues in next year's Super Rugby Aupiki.
The two-time World Cup winner announced her retirement from international rugby after winning her second Olympic sevens medal earlier this year in Paris.
Next week, she'll head to Japan to take up a deal with the Mie Pearls in Yokkaichi, before returning home in February to lace up with the Blues.
The 33-year-old said the rave reviews from wife Renee of their title-winning run this year persuaded her to see for herself what all the excitement was about.
It's also an opportunity for Woodman-Wickliffe to play alongside her niece Kerri Johnson before she hangs up her boots for good.
"With my wife Renee playing last year, she had really amazing things to say about the Blues environment, the girls, the coaching staff, and I really wanted to be a part of it," she told SENZ Breakfast. "I really wanted to experience it.
"Also, a niece of mine, Kerri Johnson, is in the team and I'm hoping she'll be in the black jersey soon, so I want to play alongside her before she makes it.
"Those are the two main points why I've kind of switched into the Blues.
"Dad supports the Blues, coming from Northland. It feels like a homecoming, to be honest."
While the 2017 World Rugby player of the year has only inked a one-year deal with the defending champion, she admits she's open to a longer stint with the side.
"At the moment it's only one year," she said.
"It's easy to say that now, but when you enjoy something, it's probably hard to say no again.
"But we'll see how we go when we get to the end of the season."
"But we'll see how we go when we get to the end of the season."
After over a decade at the sport's elite level and with nothing left to prove, Woodman-Wickliffe says her main aim is to get back to basics and enjoy the game alongside some of her loved ones.
"I've played for New Zealand for 12 years and it's very high pressure," she explained.
"Not saying that this isn't, but that was a lot of pressure around expectation and performance - having to prove yourself in all sorts of different ways.
"Whereas playing for the Blues for me is an opportunity to play for me. Fun, enjoyment, learning off these young girls. They've been playing the game. I haven't played XVs since the World Cup, so it's going to be interesting doing that again.
"But it's just playing for me now, it's all about having fun."
Listen to the full interview below:
