Latest news with #Woodman-Wickliffe
NZ Herald
4 days ago
- Sport
- NZ Herald
Portia Woodman-Wickliffe on life after rugby and her King's Birthday honour
Fifteen-year-old Portia Woodman-Wickliffe stood in the Mount Albert Grammar School hall dreaming of her name going up on the sports honours board. Little did she know, 18 years later, she would receive a King's Birthday honour. 'It's such a crazy, crazy idea,' Woodman-Wickliffe told the Herald. 'I'm extremely
RTÉ News
26-05-2025
- Sport
- RTÉ News
Portia Woodman-Wickliffe marks Black Ferns return with seven-try showing
Portia Woodman-Wickliffe's return from retirement paid big dividends for New Zealand at the weekend when the veteran winger scored seven tries to help the world champions thrash the United States 79-14 and retain the Pacific Four title. Ireland, who beat the Black Ferns in last year's WXV1, will meet New Zealand in the third game of their World Cup Pool C campaign in September. Katelyn Vahaakolo on the other wing chipped in with four tries but it was Woodman-Wickliffe who caught the eye with some devastating finishing as the team produced a statement win three months before their Women's World Cup title defence. The 33-year-old, who was playing her first Test since the 2022 World Cup final after coming out of retirement in April, also overhauled Vanessa Coutts as her country's all-time leading try scorer with 45 five-pointers in 26 internationals. "It's always amazing to represent the black jersey and the legacy that we have, but it's really cool for where we can go from here," twice World Player of the Year Woodman-Wickliffe said. "For me, I just finish what the girls are doing, if I'm there to finish the tries out wide, then that's my job done. We've still got a lot of work to do as a whole team, which is really exciting." After drawing 27-27 in their last outing against Canada, New Zealand needed to beat the US by 25 points and earn a bonus point on Saturday to retain the Pacific Four title. Despite the Americans scoring the first try, that proved no problem at Auckland's North Harbour Stadium with Sevens standout Jorja Miller (above) also on fire on her Test debut at openside flanker. Canada earlier also finished the tournament unbeaten after putting sixth-ranked Australia to the sword 45-7 with a clinical performance at Brisbane's Lang Park. New Zealand have won six of the nine previous Women's World Cups but are ranked third in the world behind World Cup hosts England and Canada. Scott Bemand's Ireland side will play World Cup warm-ups against Scotland and Canada at the start of August. They face Japan, Spain and New Zealand in Pool C of the World Cup in August and September.
Straits Times
26-05-2025
- Sport
- Straits Times
Magnificent seven for Portia as New Zealand make statement ahead of World Cup
FILE PHOTO: Paris 2024 Olympics - Rugby Sevens - Women's Pool A - New Zealand vs Canada - Stade de France, Saint-Denis, France - July 28, 2024. Portia Woodman-Wickliffe of New Zealand in action with Carissa Norsten of Canada REUTERS/Dylan Martinez/File Photo Magnificent seven for Portia as New Zealand make statement ahead of World Cup SYDNEY - Portia Woodman-Wickliffe's return from retirement paid big dividends for New Zealand at the weekend when the veteran winger scored seven tries to help the world champions thrash the United States 79-14 and retain the Pacific Four title. Katelyn Vahaakolo on the other wing chipped in with four tries but it was Woodman-Wickliffe who caught the eye with some devastating finishing as the Black Ferns produced a statement win three months before their Women's World Cup title defence. The 33-year-old, who was playing her first test since the 2022 World Cup final after coming out of retirement in April, also overhauled Vanessa Coutts as her country's all-time leading try scorer with 45 five-pointers in 26 internationals. "It's always amazing to represent the black jersey and the legacy that we have, but it's really cool for where we can go from here," twice World Player of the Year Woodman-Wickliffe said. "For me, I just finish what the girls are doing, if I'm there to finish the tries out wide, then that's my job done. We've still got a lot of work to do as a whole team, which is really exciting." After drawing 27-27 in their last outing against Canada, New Zealand needed to beat the U.S. by 25 points and earn a bonus point on Saturday to retain the Pacific Four title. Despite the Americans scoring the first try, that proved no problem at Auckland's North Harbour Stadium with sevens standout Jorja Miller also on fire on her test debut at openside flanker. Canada earlier also finished the tournament unbeaten after putting sixth-ranked Australia to the sword 45-7 with a clinical performance at Brisbane's Lang Park. The powerful Canadian pack quickly dented the confidence Australia had built up after beating the U.S. 27-19 in Canberra last week as they signalled they will be no pushovers in England in August and September. "Obviously we would have loved to get that win against New Zealand last weekend, but we had to move on," said Canada captain Alex Tessier. "Overall I was very proud of the girls today. It was a decent win. We put a lot of points on the board." New Zealand, who have won six of the nine previous Women's World Cups but are ranked third in the world behind World Cup hosts England and Canada, next play Australia for a second time this year in Wellington on July 12. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
The Star
26-05-2025
- Sport
- The Star
Rugby-Magnificent seven for Portia as New Zealand make statement ahead of World Cup
FILE PHOTO: Paris 2024 Olympics - Rugby Sevens - Women's Pool A - New Zealand vs Canada - Stade de France, Saint-Denis, France - July 28, 2024. Portia Woodman-Wickliffe of New Zealand in action with Carissa Norsten of Canada REUTERS/Dylan Martinez/File Photo SYDNEY (Reuters) -Portia Woodman-Wickliffe's return from retirement paid big dividends for New Zealand at the weekend when the veteran winger scored seven tries to help the world champions thrash the United States 79-14 and retain the Pacific Four title. Katelyn Vahaakolo on the other wing chipped in with four tries but it was Woodman-Wickliffe who caught the eye with some devastating finishing as the Black Ferns produced a statement win three months before their Women's World Cup title defence. The 33-year-old, who was playing her first test since the 2022 World Cup final after coming out of retirement in April, also overhauled Vanessa Coutts as her country's all-time leading try scorer with 45 five-pointers in 26 internationals. "It's always amazing to represent the black jersey and the legacy that we have, but it's really cool for where we can go from here," twice World Player of the Year Woodman-Wickliffe said. "For me, I just finish what the girls are doing, if I'm there to finish the tries out wide, then that's my job done. We've still got a lot of work to do as a whole team, which is really exciting." After drawing 27-27 in their last outing against Canada, New Zealand needed to beat the U.S. by 25 points and earn a bonus point on Saturday to retain the Pacific Four title. Despite the Americans scoring the first try, that proved no problem at Auckland's North Harbour Stadium with sevens standout Jorja Miller also on fire on her test debut at openside flanker. Canada earlier also finished the tournament unbeaten after putting sixth-ranked Australia to the sword 45-7 with a clinical performance at Brisbane's Lang Park. The powerful Canadian pack quickly dented the confidence Australia had built up after beating the U.S. 27-19 in Canberra last week as they signalled they will be no pushovers in England in August and September. "Obviously we would have loved to get that win against New Zealand last weekend, but we had to move on," said Canada captain Alex Tessier. "Overall I was very proud of the girls today. It was a decent win. We put a lot of points on the board." New Zealand, who have won six of the nine previous Women's World Cups but are ranked third in the world behind World Cup hosts England and Canada, next play Australia for a second time this year in Wellington on July 12. (Reporting by Nick Mulvenney, editing by Petrer Rutherford)
Scoop
25-05-2025
- Sport
- Scoop
Black Ferns Beat USA 79-14 To Reclaim Pacific Four Title
Article – RNZ The Black Ferns have reclaimed the Pacific Four Championship in emphatic style. Needing to defeat the USA by 25 or more points to win the title, the Ferns were rampant in Albany, a combined eleven tries between Portia Woodman-Wickliffe and Katelyn Vaha'akolo coming in the 79-14 romp. Woodman-Wickliffe's seven tries also saw her become the greatest try scorer in Black Ferns history, with 45. An ill-disciplined start from the Ferns gave USA a kickable penalty but they opted to plug the corner, a surging rolling maul appearing destined for the try line only for New Zealand to somehow hold it up over the chalk. The pressure wasn't over though, as USA got right back into the Fern's territory from the goal line drop out. Several phases later, flanker Freda Tafuna crashed over for the opening points of the match New Zealand responded with an assault of their own, with the States found wanting on the right edge as Katelyn Vaha'akolo waltzed over untouched to square the score. After taking a knock early to her hip, USA's Cheta Emba was forced from the field after just 13 minutes. The Albany crowd then well and truly came to life as sevens star and Black Ferns debutante Jorja Miller split open the USA defence, linking with Vaha'akolo who scored her second in the opposite corner. Next it was her wing partner Woodman-Wickliffe, who had plenty of work to do as she was one on one with her opposite with no room to manoeuvre. However, she managed to slam the ball down just prior to being pushed into touch. Woodman-Wickliffe and the Ferns went back to back in style, as Braxton Sorensen McGee exploded through a gap, and several slick offloads later, Woodman bagged her brace, with New Zealand now ahead 24-7. The States replied immediately though, Hope Rogers closing the gap to ten, but a mistake from the kick-off invited the Ferns straight back on attack. Right on the brink of the break, Vaha'akolo completed her hat-trick, dragging the final defender across the line with her as the Ferns took a 29-14 lead. A penalty to New Zealand looked as though that would be it for the half, but the Ferns had other ideas, taking a quick tap on halfway and firing it wide to Woodman-Wickliffe, who streaked down the right flank, gassing one opponent and palming off another for a spectacular try, both wingers now having scored three tries apiece. It took less than five minutes of the second half for Woodman-Wickliffe to score her fourth, again courtesy of a blockbusting break by Miller. Though it wasn't her greatest outing with the boot, Ruahei Demant managed to finish off another screamer from the Ferns, some super interplay by the New Zealand backs surging out of their own half. Having butchered a sure fire opportunity with a poor pass, the Ferns made amends by winning a scrum penalty and quickly firing it wide to Woodman-Wickliffe. She took the pass on the bounce, ran around one, and then powered through Ilona Maher for her fifth try. The wingers' scoring extravaganza continued, Vaha'akolo crossing for her fourth, as the Kiwis hit the sixties. Woodman-Wickliffe then broke the record for Black Ferns total tries with her 45th, and her sixth of the afternoon, once again proving too strong for the USA's defence, as things began to blow out badly for the visitors. Woodman-Wickliffe looked set for a seventh, but Stacey Waaka took it over the chalk with space opening up all over the park. The final nail came in the form of a seventh try for New Zealand's greatest ever female rugby player, in a remarkable, record breaking performance.
