Sawt Falasteen - Woodman-Wickliffe bids to bow out on Olympic high

Woodman-Wickliffe has been a star of both the sevens and 15s game for more than a decade, having transitioned from being a professional netballer to become part of the first Black Ferns sevens team to play on the World Series in 2012.

A Rugby World Cup winner in 2017 and 2022, a Rugby World Cup sevens winner in 2013 and 2018, Olympic gold and silver medallist and Commonwealth Games gold and bronze medallist, the flyer is also a record holder in both games.

She has scored the most tries in Rugby World Cups, with 20, most tries in a Black Ferns Test, with eight, and most tries in sevens series history with 256.

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

"Rugby has provided me more than a career, it's given me a second whanau (Maori 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," said the winger who was recognised by World Rugby as Sevens Player of the Year in 2015, Women's Player of the Year (15s) in 2017 and in 2020 was named as the top women's sevens player of the past decade.

- 'Winning with mana' -

Her impact on global rugby was not lost on New Zealand Rugby CEO Mark Robinson, who said: "She is a once-in-a-generation player who reached the pinnacle on the field, on multiple occasions, and off the field has helped to grow the women's game across the globe.

"Within New Zealand Rugby we talk a lot about winning with mana (supernatural power) and Portia  certainly  personifies that."

Kiwi coach Cory Sweeney added that he was lucky to have a mixed squad.

"We've got amazing experience, people who have been there and done that at massive pressure moments," he said.

"And we've got the likes of Risi (Pouri-Lane) and Jazzy (Hotham) who have this youthful energy, who keep us all on our toes, drive the change in the evolution of our game, keep pushing our leaders and senior players to be better and it's their moment to shine this weekend."

Joint favourites for the gold are trans-Tasman rivals Australia, gold medallists when sevens made its Olympic debut at the 2016 Rio Games.

The Australians lost to Fiji in the quarter-finals in the Covid-delayed Tokyo Olympics, but veteran Sharni Smale insisted there was no talk of redemption.

Smale said Australia are confident going into Paris 2024 with a motto of "No Regrets".

"We're such a talented bunch," Smale said of the squad that were crowned 2024 sevens champions after beating France in the Grand Final in Madrid in June.

"It's time to really showcase that talent and having no regrets, having that courage. Courage is currency, to get out there and put everything on the line."

France, who won silver at Tokyo, should also be in the running for a shot at a podium finish in the three-day tournament that starts on Sunday.

"If all goes to plan, we might get France in the semi-final, which I think would be amazing to play them at home in front of a full house," said Australia captain Charlotte Caslick.

"It will be pretty crazy, but an amazing experience nonetheless."

H.Darwish--SF-PST