She’s won almost every accolade and trophy there is in rugby, so it’s no surprise that Portia Woodman-Wickliffe is one of four women’s players from around the world selected by Mattel to have a one-of-a-kind Barbie made in their likeness.
Despite her success, the Black Ferns star admits she thought she was being scammed when the offer first came in.
“I thought, ‘Is this the real Barbie or is this just some person trying to tease me?’” the 34-year-old laughs.
A proud moment of recognition
Once it sank in, she felt proud to stand alongside some of her own sporting heroes.
“To be alongside the likes of Valerie Adams and Melodie Robinson – women who have written their name in history – is such an honour,” she says, speaking to the Weekly from her home in Tauranga.
“When I was seven, I played with a Barbie who had blonde hair, blue eyes and was a skinny little thing. Now I think about these young girls who can see a Māori girl with curly hair and muscles – it’s an inspiration and it makes me proud.”
A year of unexpected twists
Portia’s year took another unexpected twist. Last year, she retired from international rugby after winning gold with the Black Ferns Sevens at the Paris Olympics.
But after consulting with her wife and former Black Fern, Renee, 38, and their daughter Kaia, 13, she couldn’t resist the opportunity to help defend New Zealand’s title at the Women’s Rugby World
Cup in September.
They sadly lost to Canada in the semi-finals. And though Portia admits she hates losing, she enjoyed they got to end their UK campaign on a high with their bronze medal win against France.
Processing the loss
“You go through the stages of grief – depression, anger, then acceptance,” she says of the 34-19 loss.
“It took us a good three or four days to come out of that. But at the end of our bronze medal match, there was a lot of relief. “We were proud that we put mana back in the jersey. We finished on such an awesome game and we were so proud we got to be part of a historic moment playing for a sold-out crowd at Twickenham Stadium.”
Since returning home from the excitement of screaming crowds and fans, Portia, who now holds the record for most test tries scored by any New Zealand player, is enjoying the slower pace.
Slower pace at home
“I’ve been a housewife, which has its moments, but I’m really enjoying it,” she admits.
“I do the washing, dishes, I drop my wife and daughter off at school and work, then pick them up after. It’s been nice to be normal for a bit.”
Though she’s not willing to formally retire again – especially after the flak she copped from her teammates – she is adamant her only focus now is growing her family.
“I want babies,” she enthuses.
“It’s time – I’ve delayed it for the past 12 years. But that’s a process for us; it’s not going to be an easy thing. So that is two years potentially out. Then I’ll see where it goes after that. “But I will always be involved in rugby. I want to play rugby until I’m 50.”
