Black Ferns great Woodman-Wickliffe to retire after 'last dance' at Olympics

English Woman's Journal - Black Ferns great Woodman-Wickliffe to retire after 'last dance' at Olympics

SPORTS 01.07.2024

Black Ferns great Woodman-Wickliffe to retire after 'last dance' at Olympics / Photo: Roslan RAHMAN - AFP/File

Double Rugby World Cup winner Portia Woodman-Wickliffe said on Monday that she will retire from the sport after this summer's Paris Olympic Games.

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Winger Woodman-Wickliffe, 32, and the Black Ferns are defending Olympic women's gold medal during the tournament in July.

She won the World Cup in the shorter form of the sport in 2013 and 2018 having lifted the 15s title in 2017 and 2022.

"After 12 incredible years representing New Zealand in 7s and 15s, the upcoming Paris Olympics will be my last time playing in the black jersey," Woodman-Wickliffe said on Instagram.

"Rugby has provided me more than a career, it's given me a second whanau (family) in my sisters, opportunities to see the world and experience things I never would have otherwise.

"One last dance with my sisters in Paris," 2015's World Rugby sevens player of the year added.

The women's sevens at the Paris Games begin on July 28 at the Stade de France with the gold medal match two days later.

R.Mcintosh--EWJ

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English Woman's Journal - Black Ferns great Woodman-Wickliffe to retire after 'last dance' at Olympics