Portia Woodman-Wickliffe has backflipped on her international retirement as a denied application to join the NRLW sees the Kiwi sensation return to rugby’s biggest stage.
The 33-year-old was set to join the Newcastle Knights in the NRLW in what would have been a major coup for the club and the league.
But Woodman-Wickliffe’s registrations failed to be approved, leaving the international talent to announce her decision to return to the rugby sphere.
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Woodman-Wickliffe has since put pen to paper on an eight-month deal with the Black Ferns and will join the national team for their first training camp as soon as this week.
“By week three of (Super Rugby) Aupiki I was at 50 per cent of my decision,” Woodman-Wickliffe said as the Black Ferns confirmed the news on Tuesday morning.
Portia Woodman-Wickliffe of Team New Zealand. Getty
“Each week in campaign I thought about the possibility of how I could potentially go to the World Cup more and more.
“I thought about what it would mean to me, but most importantly, my whānau (family).
“I needed time to process everything and making myself available for this team is where I’ve landed.
“When I said I was going to retire from sevens it was based around having babies, 2025 was about exploring as many opportunities as I could so that when I do end up having them, I can say I’ve tried as much as I can.”
Had Woodman-Wickliffe made the switch to the NRLW, she would have missed a week at the end of the season due to her ambassador role at the upcoming Rugby World Cup.
It was reported that the Kiwi talent was told she would need to wait until her contracted plans did not interfere with her commitments to the league before her application would be approved.
Gold medalists Team New Zealand pose with their gold medals at the Tokyo Olympics. Getty
Exceptions have been made in the past by the league for players to represent a rival code during the season, with the likes of Tyla King, Stacey Waaka and Tenika Willison all featuring alongside Woodman-Wickliffe in the women’s sevens at the Olympics last year.
But now Woodman-Wickliffe’s focus has shifted to winning a third World Cup title.
“Portia is an exceptional human and I know she will enhance our Black Ferns environment,” Black Ferns coach Allan Bunting said.
“On the field, she is someone who knows what it takes to win pinnacle events.
“The game has shifted and I know Portia is excited about the growth she still has and the contribution she can give.
“I’m really looking forward to seeing her contribution to the team.”
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