Olympic gold medallist Woodman-Wickliffe moves into coaching at Ignite7 in Tauranga

Portia Woodman-Wickliffe, the most prolific try-scorer in women’s SVNS Series history, has stepped into coaching just months after retiring from international rugby, named as a Bolt Women co-coach at Ignite7 in Tauranga’s Blake Park on November 7-8.

Woodman-Wickliffe retired from international sevens following New Zealand’s gold medal at the Paris Olympics, closing out a career that included two Olympic golds, a Rugby World Cup Sevens gold, a Commonwealth Games gold, and a pair of Rugby World Cup titles in the 15-a-side game. World Rugby recognised her as Women’s Sevens Player of the Decade in 2020. She takes on her new coaching duties alongside Hare Makiri.

The Bolt Women squad she will oversee carries genuine SVNS pedigree. Danii Mafoe and Maia Davis both bring Black Ferns Sevens experience into the roster, while Ella Henderson has been included just days after representing the inaugural New Zealand Under-21 side against Australia NextGen U21, where she started at inside centre and served as vice-captain.

Woodman-Wickliffe is not the only decorated name moving into a coaching role at the tournament. Former All Blacks Sevens playmakers Kurt Baker and Gillies Kaka will lead Surge Men and Inferno Men respectively, and two-time Olympic gold medallist Theresa Setefano takes charge of Power Women alongside Ryan Setefano.

The men’s Bolt side will be guided by Matt Howling and Solomona Paraki, with one player slot still to be confirmed in their 12-man squad.