NZ great Woodman-Wickliffe retires for second time

New Zealand’s leading try-scorer Portia Woodman-Wickliffe has announced her retirement from international rugby for a second time.

The 34-year-old winger helped the Black Ferns win the Women’s World Cup in 2017 and 2022, and initially retired after claiming a second rugby sevens gold at the 2024 Olympics.

She returned for last year’s World Cup in England, but her bid for a third-straight title was halted in the semi-finals by Canada – before New Zealand beat France to finish third.

Woodman-Wickliffe was already the record try-scorer in World Cup history and stretched her tally to 22 with two tries in England.

Her score in the pool win over Japan was her 50th international try and meant she surpassed Doug Howlett to become New Zealand’s outright record try-scorer.

The two-time World Rugby women’s player of the year will retire from both international sevens and XVs rugby.

“I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to represent my country, my [people], one last time on the World Cup stage, a moment I will cherish forever,” she said in a message on social media.