BEING authentic in her rugby journey paid off immensely for New Zealand Black Ferns player Portia Woodman-Wickliffe.
Woodman-Wickliffe, who is an ambassador of this year’s McDonald’s Coral Coast Fiji 7s, shared this in an interview with Times Sport on Wednesday night at the Shangri-La Yanuca Island, Fiji resort in Sigatoka, when asked how it felt to have a front-row seat in the development of rugby for women.
“It’s been interesting but it has been an incredible journey,” she said after the 2026 Tappoos Ambassadors Rugby Ball.
”I think the biggest thing I learned about it is being authentically yourself throughout the whole journey and I think when you’re a great human being, that comes naturally and if you’re not, you kind of get found out and you might have to find your way out of the game.”
She added how this helped in one’s development.
“Being a great human really helps the game and I think that will continue to show where girls can go from here, so yes, it’s been an amazing journey so far.”
Woodman-Wickliffe and Springbok 7s and 15s player Rosko Specman are the two ambassadors of this year’s tournament and the duo have expressed how enthusiastic they were to be part of the tournament, which got underway yesterday.
Woodman-Wickliffe created history as the first female to be an ambassador at the growing annual event.
She is also the first female to be inducted into the RugbyTown Walk of Fame, among an array of international rugby legends.
Woodman-Wickliffe’s career has redefined women’s rugby on the world stage. She is a World Cup winner in both 15s and 7s.
She is also a double Olympic champion and a silver medallist.
The Coral Coast 7s will end tomorrow.
