PORTIA WOODMAN WICKLIFFE has announced her retirement from international rugby for the second time. The 34-year-old leaves the game as New Zealand’s all-time leading try-scorer.
Woodman-Wickliffe played a key role in the success of the New Zealand women’s national rugby union team. She helped the Black Ferns win the Women’s Rugby World Cup in 2017 and 2022. She also secured two Olympic gold medals in rugby sevens.
She first stepped away from international rugby after winning gold at the 2024 Olympics. However, she returned for the 2025 World Cup in England. New Zealand reached the semi-finals but lost to Canada. The team later defeated France to claim third place.
Woodman-Wickliffe already held the record for most tries in Women’s Rugby World Cup history. She extended her total to 22 tries during the tournament in England.
In the pool-stage win over Japan, she scored her 50th international try. That effort saw her surpass Doug Howlett to become New Zealand’s outright leading try-scorer in international rugby.
A two-time World Rugby Women’s Player of the Year, Woodman-Wickliffe confirmed she will retire from both sevens and XVs formats.
In a message shared on social media, she expressed gratitude for representing her country on the World Cup stage one final time. She said she feels excited and ready for the next chapter of her life.
Her career leaves a lasting legacy in women’s rugby, both in New Zealand and worldwide.
