16-05-2025
Woodman-Wickliffe to start for Black Ferns in Canada revenge match
Portia Woodman-Wickliffe will start on the right wing against Canada in Christchurch as the Black Ferns attempt to gain revenge for their Pacific Four Series defeat to the nation last year.
It will be Woodman-Wickliffe's first XVs Test since the 2022 World Cup final.
After recently reversing her decision to retire from the game, Woodman-Wickliffe spoke about a desire to play in the midfield but director of performance Allan Bunting has elected to play the 33-year-old in her specialist position.
'I'm really excited for Portia to again represent her country in front of friends and whānau," he said.
"It will be a special moment for her. It's been awesome seeing the joy in her eyes and everything she does to enhance our environment. Her willingness to learn and grow is contagious; we look forward to seeing her play this weekend against Canada."
Woodman-Wickliffe is two tries away from reaching 200 points in a Black Ferns Test to become only the third Black Fern to reach the milestone.
There is no room in the match-day squad for any of the sevens players who recently won the world championship by beating Australia in Los Angeles.
Woodman-Wickliffe and Amy Rule's start along with the return of Liana Mikaele-Tu'u to No.8 are the only three changes to the starting team that beat Australia last weekend.
Following her stellar two-try debut last Saturday, rising star Braxton Sorensen-McGee returns for another week at fullback.
In the front row, prop Rule will start alongside Chryss Viliko, while Tanya Kalounivale celebrates her 20th Test match with Kate Henwood off the bench.
Georgia Ponsonby starts at hooker and the locking duo of Alana Bremner and Maiakawanakaulani Roos remains unchanged.
Co-captain Ruahei Demant and Maia Joseph will again wear 10 and 9 jerseys respectively, while Logo-I-Pulotu Lemapu-Atai'i Sylvia Brunt and Amy du Plessis combine again in the midfield. Powerful wing Ayesha Leti-I'iga joins Woodman-Wickliffe and Sorensen-McGee to complete the back three.
Canada are ranked second in the world and secured their first-ever win over the Black Ferns (22-19) in Christchurch last year, which saw them claim the Pacific Four Series 2024 title. England lead the rankings, while New Zealand are third.
'Last Saturday was a great stepping stone towards where we want to be, and we look forward to seeing how we build off that this week against a quality Canadian side," Bunting said. "We are excited to play our first Test at home.'
1. Chryss Viliko, 2. Georgia Ponsonby, 3. Amy Rule, 4. Alana Bremner, 5. Maiakawanakaulani Roos, 6. Layla Sae, 7. Kennedy Tukuafu, (Co-captain), 8. Liana Mikaele-Tu'u, 9. Maia Joseph, 10. Ruahei Demant (Co-captain)y, 11. Ayesha Leti-I'iga, 12. Logo-I-Pulotu Lemapu-Atai'i Sylvia Brunt, 13. Amy du Plessis, 14. Portia Woodman-Wickliffe, 15. Braxton Sorensen-McGee.
Reserves: 16. Atlanta Lolohea, 17. Kate Henwood, 18. Tanya Kalounivale, 19. Maama Mo'onia Vaipulu, 20. Kaipo Olsen-Baker, 21. Iritana Hohaia, 22. Hannah King, 23. Mererangi Paul.
