Portia Woodman-Wickliffe says positional switch behind Black Ferns Rugby World Cup bid

Portia Woodman-Wickliffe says learning to play a new position was a factor in her decision to backflip on her international retirement, and help the Black Ferns win a third consecutive Rugby World Cup . The 33-year-old has signed a deal with New Zealand Rugby for the rest of the yea r and will link up with the Black Ferns in their first camp of the year this weekend. After helping the Black Ferns Sevens defend their Olympic gold medal in Paris last year, Woodman-Wickliffe insisted her time in the black jersey was over.

But during the recent Super Rugby Aupiki campaign, where the Blues successfully defended their title by beating Matatū in the final , Woodman-Wickliffe says the desire to wear the black jersey again grew stronger. Initially, Woodman-Wickliffe had planned to suit up in the NRLW this year , but after that deal fell through it made her decision easier..