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Sport Nation
Woodman-Wickliffe ends retirement to boost Black Ferns for World Cup defence
Sport Nation • April 22nd, 2025 8:20 am
Photo: AAP
Black Ferns great Portia Woodman-Wickliffe has confirmed she's ending her brief international retirement to help New Zealand attempt to defend the Rugby World Cup later this year.
Woodman-Wickliffe, 33, announced her international retirement last year, after winning her second Olympic gold medal with the Black Ferns Sevens in Paris.
But speculation has swirled around the two-time World Rugby Player of the Year during her star turn for the Blues during their run to the Super Rugby Aupiki title this year, and she's now confirmed she'll be back in black for the Ferns when they head to England in August, having signed a new eight-month deal with NZR.
“By week three of Aupiki I was at fifty percent of my decision," said the two-time World Cup champion.
"Each week in campaign I thought about the possibility of how I could potentially go to the World Cup more and more. I thought about what it would mean to me but most importantly my whānau. I needed time to process everything and making myself available for this team is where I’ve landed."
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Widely regarded as one of the best players in the game's history, Woodman-Wickliffe has won two Rugby World Cups (2017 and 2022), two sevens Rugby World Cups (2013 and 2018) and Olympic and Commonwealth golds. She holds the record for top try-scorer in Rugby World Cup history.
“When I said I was going to retire from sevens it was based around having babies, 2025 was about exploring as many opportunities as I could so that when I do end up having them, I can say I’ve tried as much as I can.”
Woodman-Wickliffe looked set to join the Newcastle Knights in the NRLW, before a conflict of interest involving her ambassador role with Mastercard saw the deal fall through.
NZ Rugby CEO Mark Robinson said Woodman-Wickliffe's return would provide a huge boost for the world champion Black Ferns.
“This is really exciting news in a pinnacle year for women’s rugby. Portia is a true great of the game in both XVs and Sevens.
"Her experience, talent and high standards will add an extra edge to the Black Ferns environment. I’m sure fans all over the world are looking forward to seeing her in the black jersey again.”
Woodman-Wickliffe will link up with the squad this week for their first assembly ahead of the start of their international campaign.
