Black Ferns legend Portia Woodman-Wickliffe hints at shock retirement U-turn

Wednesday, 16 April 2025

The legendary Black Ferns winger might not be done with the international game yet.

As one door closed, another might be creeping open for Portia Woodman-Wickliffe.

The legendary Black Fern has strongly hinted that she might be tempted to make a shock U-turn on her decision to retire from international rugby.

After the 33-year-old’s switch to rugby league was blocked by the NRL because of her ambassador role for the Rugby World Cup, she has been left to ponder what might be next in the twilight years of her storied career.

Could Woodman-Wickliffe make herself available for the Black Ferns ahead of this year’s World Cup in England?

“I guess there is a chance,” she told the Aotearoa Rugby Pod on Sky Sport.

“I love rugby, I love Blues and want to play rugby for a long time, forever.

“In my head, when I retired from the sevens, I was finished with [playing for] New Zealand and wanted to play as many opportunities as I can.

“I wanted to go off, travel around the world and play different rugby. That’s kind of still where my mind is, but playing at the Blues, alongside these girls, has definitely made me question, ‘could I go again?’

“These girls make me want to play, and I love being around them, so who knows.”

Could Portia Woodman-Wickliffe come out of retirement?

Woodman-Wickliffe was speaking ahead of Thursday night’s clash (7:05pm) between the Blues and the Waratahs in Auckland, a crossover final between the winners of the respective Kiwi and Australian women’s Super Rugby competitions at North Harbour Stadium.

She was the player of the match last Saturday night as the Blues retained the Super Rugby Aupiki title by defeating Matatū 26-19 at Eden Park.

The Blues have utilised her at centre to great effect after shifting her inside from her regular wing position. Whether she could still prosper at the elite level of test rugby is one question mark, but her talent and power would almost certainly make her an asset for Allan Bunting’s Black Ferns.

The six-time world champions start their World Cup campaign in August when hosts England are huge favourites to win the trophy.

Woodman-Wickliffe announced she would retire from international rugby after the Paris Olympics last August, where she won her second Olympic gold medal with the Black Ferns Sevens in Paris.

She ended her career in black as one the game’s greats, winning every team and individual honour, and is the record try-scorer (with 20) in World Cup history. She also won two World Cups in 2017 and 2022.

However, she might not be finished yet.

The Black Ferns declined to comment but are due to confirm their first squad of the season next week.

Blues v Waratahs – Super Rugby Aupiki final

Blues: Braxton Sorensen-McGee, Katelyn Vahaakolo, Portia Woodman-Wickliffe, Sylvia Brunt, Jaymie Kolose, Ruahei Demant, Tara Turner; Elizabith MoiMoi, Taufa Bason, Holly Greenway, Maama Vaipulu, Maiakawanakaulani Roos (capt), Aldora Itunu, Atlanta Lolohea, Chryss Viliko. Reserves: Grace Gago, Awhina Tangen-Wainohu, Harono Te Iringa, Cheyenne Tuli-Fale, Dajian Brown, Kerri Johnson, Krysten Cottrell, Patricia Maliepo.

Waratahs: Caitlyn Halse, Jade Sheridan, Georgina Friedrichs, Katrina Barker, Desiree Miller, Arabella McKenzie, Tatum Bird; Ruby Anderson, Emily Chancellor (capt), Nicole Nathan, Annabelle Codey, Kaitlan Leaney, Faliki Pohiva, Britt Merlo, Bridie O’Gorman. Reserves: Millie Parker, Emily Robinson, Seneti Kilisimasi, Jayjay Taylor, Anahera Hamahona, Martha Harvey, Amelia Whitaker, Waiaria Ellis.