Portia Woodman-Wickliffe showcased an extraordinary performance as the Black Ferns decisively defeated the United States 79-14 in Albany, clinching the Pacific Four Series title. At 33 years old, the talented winger made history by scoring seven tries, elevating her to the status of New Zealand’s all-time leading try scorer with 45 tries in only 26 Tests, surpassing the previous record held by Vanessa Coutts.
With a pressing need for victory following Canada’s convincing 45-7 win over Australia, the Black Ferns required a bonus-point win with a margin of at least 25 points to reclaim the title. They successfully achieved this, netting a total of 13 tries and shutting out their opponents in the second half.
Woodman-Wickliffe’s impressive return to 15s rugby comes after she initially announced her retirement following her Olympic gold medal achievement at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Her comeback enhances the excitement surrounding a potential bid for another World Cup title in England later this year.
Joining Woodman-Wickliffe in the spotlight was Katelyn Vaha’akolo, who contributed four tries, taking her overall tally to 23 tries in 16 matches. Supporting the team were also key scores from Ruahei Demant and Stacey Waaka, solidifying the Black Ferns’ dominant performance.
This victory is particularly significant as it emphasizes the Black Ferns’ resilience and determination, especially after a closely contested 27-27 draw against Canada earlier in the series, which made their final match all the more critical in the standings.
The future looks bright for the Black Ferns, as they continue to build upon their successes and showcase the depth of talent within their ranks. This recent win not only celebrates past achievements but also sets an encouraging tone for potential triumphs ahead.
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