Portia Woodman-Wickliffe Brings Star Power to Blues for 2025 Super Rugby Aupiki
All BlacksOctober 22, 2024
Black Ferns and New Zealand women's Sevens star Portia Woodman-Wickliffe will play the 2025 Super Rugby Aupiki season for the Blues.
One of the genuine stars on the women's rugby scene, Woodman-Wickliffe has shared two World Cups with the Black Ferns and two with the Black Ferns Sevens won gold medals at Olympic and Commonwealth Games levels and several Sevens World Series titles.
In 2020, she was named World Rugby's Sevens Player of the Decade.
Woodman-Wickliffe will join the side after completing a stint in Japan with the Mie Pearls and will join her niece, Kerri Johnson.
Woodman-Wickliffe said, "Kerri played for the Blues last season and loved every moment. It was inspiring to see what the team achieved, and it was something I wanted to be part of.
"The chance to play with my niece is something pretty special for me and my whānau, and to be honest, I need to get in and play with her now before she's off playing in a black jersey in the coming years."
Woodman-Wickliffe's wife Renee was also part of the Blues last season.
"Renee only had good things to say about the culture and vibe of the nib Blues, after speaking with, I knew I wanted to come and play."
Blues head coach Willie Walker is looking forward to having the world champion in his team.
"Her skills on the park speak for themselves, she's world-class. Having Portia with us is also going to be hugely beneficial for the team off the field.
"Her experience around all aspects of physical preparation, recovery and mental skills is going to be a huge asset for those around her."
