That try saw Woodman-Wickliffe draw level with Doug Howlett\u2019s long-standing record as the all-time top try-scorer as a New Zealander in the Test arena. Incredibly, the Black Ferns winger has matched that feat in only 29 international 15s appearances.<\/p>\n
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Portia Woodman-Wickliffe receives Women\u2019s Top 50 award<\/p>\n
New Zealand Women\u2019s superstar Portia Woodman-Wickliffe spoke to RugbyPass after receiving the prestigious, inaugural RugbyPass Women\u2019s Top 50 award this week. <\/p>\n
View Top 50<\/a><\/p>\n New Zealand Women\u2019s superstar Portia Woodman-Wickliffe spoke to RugbyPass after receiving the prestigious, inaugural RugbyPass Women\u2019s Top 50 award this week. <\/p>\n History is within reach for Woodman-Wickliffe, who will start on the right wing against Japan at Exeter\u2019s Sandy Park this weekend. After backflipping on plans to retire from international rugby in April, Woodman-Wickliffe could very well do something that no Black Fern or All Black has done.<\/p>\n \u201cIt sets the tone for all women in sport, all women rugby players, anything is achievable with a supportive environment and an absolute belief in yourself, but again it comes down to the team and environment,\u201d Woodman-Wickliffe told reporters when asked about the record.<\/p>\n \u201cI am extremely proud to have scored as many tries as I have. What I would love to impart to any young athlete coming through is to chase your dreams, you never know where it\u2019s going to end up. Just have a crack at it.\u201d<\/p>\n Woodman-Wickliffe is already a dual Rugby World Cup winner (2017 & 2022) has helped Team New Zealand claim back-to-back Olympic gold medals in rugby sevens. The New Zealander also became the first women\u2019s player to score 250 tries in sevens, reaching that feat in 2024.<\/p>\n The list of accolades just goes on and on, having also won multiple SVNS Series crowns, and also medals at the Commonwealth Games and Rugby Sevens World Cup. Woodman-Wickliffe helped the Blues take out the Super Rugby Aupiki and Champions Final titles this year too.<\/p>\n Woodman-Wickliffe was also once recognised as the Sevens Player of the Decade, and the Kiwi holds the record for most tries in Rugby World Cup history. It\u2019s an unrivalled rugby CV that could very well include more history this weekend, or in the weeks ahead.<\/p>\n \u201cSometimes it feels like a cringe moment that I retired and did this big announcement and now I\u2019m back! It\u2019s exciting. I love rugby, I love the girls,\u201d Woodman-Wickliffe added.<\/p>\n \u201cThese ones give me stick day in, day out and that\u2019s why I love the game. To be able to chase these achievements is an amazing opportunity. What I love the most is the people and playing the game and I couldn\u2019t say no when I was so close to this opportunity as well.\u201d<\/p>\n Woodman-Wickliffe comes into the starting side as one of the changes to the Black Ferns line-up. Backrower Kennedy Tukuafu is set to return to the Test arena for the first time since the Pacific Four Series, named at openside flanker, with Jorja Miller<\/a> shifting to blindside.<\/p>\n Braxton Sorensen-McGee also shifts positions, moving from the right wing to fullback. Katelyn Vahaakolo, Atlanta Lolohea<\/a>, Visinia Mahutariki-Fakelelu, Maia Joseph<\/a> and Kate Henwood<\/a> have all been named to make their World Cup debuts.<\/p>\n Fixture<\/p>\n Women’s Rugby World Cup<\/p>\n New Zealand Women <\/p>\n Japan Women <\/p>\nPortia Woodman-Wickliffe receives Women\u2019s Top 50 award<\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/1756552750_890_965.png.webp\"\/)
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