In pictures: Portia Woodman-Wickliffe - 'More than a career' to end at Olympics

9:40 am on 2 July 2024

Portia Woodman-Wickliffe of New Zealand.
HSBC New Zealand Sevens at FMG Stadium, Hamilton, New Zealand on the Sunday 22 January 2023. Copyright Photo: Jeremy Ward / www.photosport.nz

Portia Woodman-Wickliffe takes a moment with one of her fans at FMG Stadium in Hamilton on 22 January, 2023. Photo: Jeremy Ward / www.photosport.nz

Fan favourite Portia Woodman-Wickliffe will call time on her hugely successful career after "one last dance" at the Paris Olympics later this month.

Already an Olympic gold and silver medallist, the prolific try-scorer also has medals for her part in two Rugby World Cup winning teams, two RWC Sevens titles and gold and bronze medals from Commonwealth Games.

She was recognised by World Rugby as Sevens Player of the Year in 2015, Women's Player of the Year (XVs) in 2017 and in 2020 was named as the top women's sevens player of the past decade.

From a career spanning 12 years at the pinnacle of her sport, we look back at some of the moments that define her stunning career:

Turning out for the sevens in 2014. Photo: PHOTOSPORT

Portia Woodman of New Zealand poses after receiving the Women's 7's Player of the Year award during the World Rugby Awards 2015 at Battersea Evolution on November 1, 2015 in London, England. (Photo by Dan Mullan - World Rugby/World Rugby)

Women's Sevens world player of the year at the World Rugby Awards in London in November, 2015. Photo: World Rugby / Dan Mullan

New Zealand sevens player Portia Woodman.

A familiar place for Portia Woodman-Wickliffe - nearing the tryline. Photo: PHOTOSPORT

Stars of the silver medal winning women's sevens team are inspiring young players this week as they undertake a nationwide tour.

Woodman-Wickliffe, front, far left, was among those meeting students at Wellington East Girls' College in 2016. Photo: RNZ / Aaron Smale

SKY TV Fan's Try of the Year award winner Black Ferns Portia Woodman.

Portia Woodman-Wickliffe ready to receive Sky TV's fans' try of the year award in 2017. Photo: Photosport

portia woodman Photo: PHOTOSPORT

From left: Sarah Goss, Stacey Waaka and Portia Woodman-Wickliffe. Photo: Photosport

On the burst for the Black Ferns in 2017. Photo: Photosport

A hug from her team-mates after scoring another try in August 2017. Photo: Photosport

Black Ferns Portia Woodman, Kelly Brazier and captain Sarah Goss with Sevens players at Hamilton Girls’ High School, at the announcement ib 28 August of a four team tournament to coincide with the World Sevens in Hamilton in January

Black Ferns Portia Woodman, Kelly Brazier and captain Sarah Goss with Sevens players at Hamilton Girls' High School in August 2018, at the announcement of a four-team tournament to coincide with the World Sevens in Hamilton the following year. Photo: RNZ / Andrew McRae

Gold-winning NZ Women's Sevens player Portia Woodman at the Tokyo Olympics bearing the Tino Rangatiratanga flag. Photo: Instagram / Portia Woodman

Michaela Blyde, Portia Woodman and Theresa Fitzpatrick.
New Zealand Black Ferns Sevens.

From left: Michaela Blyde, Portia Woodman and Theresa Fitzpatrick. Photo: PHOTOSPORT

Portia Woodman-Wickliffe.
Angela Calver, KiwiHarvest CEO.
Tom Rutledge, HelloFresh New Zealand CEO.

Wednesday 7 June 2023
College Rifles Rugby & Sports Club, Remuera, Auckland

Every year, Kiwi households are responsible for at least 115 kilograms of good food going to waste. Not only does this cost up to $1,520 per household each year, meaning nationally we are throwing $3.1 billion worth of food in the bin, it is a huge environmental concern and a major source of avoidable greenhouse gas emissions.

On a mission to help Kiwis understand the real weight of their food waste, HelloFresh has partnered with New Zealand’s largest food rescue organisation, KiwiHarvest, to shine a spotlight on this issue which is impacting the environment and hip pockets.
HelloFresh and KiwiHarvest will load up a rugby scrum machine with 115 kilograms of rescued food waste and are challenging Rugby World Champion Portia Woodman-Wickliffe to push it.

Helping to draw attention to food waste at an event at Eden Park in June 2023. Photo: Andrew Cornaga/www.photosport.nz

Black Ferns player Portia Woodman during the New Zealand Black Ferns v Japan Women international rugby union match at Eden Park, Auckland, New Zealand on Saturday 24 September 2022.
© Copyright photo: Andrew Cornaga / www.photosport.nz

Fending off a Japanese player during a Black Ferns match at Eden Park, on 24 September 2022. Photo: Andrew Cornaga / www.photosport.nz

New Zealand's Portia Woodman takes a photo with a young fan on day one of the HSBC Canada Women's Sevens at Starlight Stadium on 30 April, 2022 in Langford, Canada. Photo credit: Mike Lee - KLC fotos for World Rugby

Posing with a fan at the Canada Women's Sevens at Starlight Stadium in Langford, Canada, on 30 April 2022. Photo: Mike Lee - KLC fotos for World Rugby

The Black Ferns squad and crowds gathered outside Parliament to celebrate the team's World Cup win, on 13 December, 2022.

A reception at parliament for the Black Ferns to celebrate their World Cup win in 2022. Photo: RNZ / Angus Dreaver

Portia Woodman of New Zealand signs autographs for fans and supporters.
New Zealand Black Ferns Thank You Aotearoa - Celebrate #LikeaBlackFern event at Te Komititanga Square, Auckland, New Zealand on Sunday 13 November 2022. Mandatory credit: Alan Lee / www.photosport.nz

Signing an autograph after the Black Ferns won the Rugby World Cup, in Auckland, on 13 November 2022. Photo: Alan Lee / Photosport

Portia Woodman-Wickliffe celebrates a try against Great Britain on day one of the Grand Final at Stadium Civitas Metropolitano on 31 May, 2024 in Madrid, Spain. Photo: © Mike Lee - KLC fotos for World Rugby 2024