Woodman-Wickliffe retires from international rugby

Portia Woodman-Wickliffe has announced her retirement from international rugby for a second time, bringing the curtain down on one of the sport’s most decorated careers.

The 34-year-old winger is New Zealand’s leading try-scorer and a two-time Women’s World Cup champion, having helped the New Zealand women’s national rugby union team lift the trophy in 2017 and 2022.

She initially stepped away after securing a second Olympic sevens gold medal in 2024 but returned for the 2025 World Cup in England. New Zealand’s bid for a third straight title ended in the semi-finals against Canada, before they defeated France to claim bronze.

Record-breaking career

Woodman-Wickliffe leaves as the all-time leading try-scorer in Women’s Rugby World Cup history, finishing with 22 tries. During the 2025 tournament, she also became New Zealand’s outright top international try-scorer, surpassing former men’s star Doug Howlett with her 50th Test try.

A two-time World Rugby women’s player of the year, she confirmed she will retire from both sevens and XVs formats.

In a social media message, Woodman-Wickliffe said she was grateful to represent her country “one last time” on the World Cup stage and felt ready for the next chapter of her life.