Retired All Blacks star Woodman-Wickliffe named among Messi and LeBron in Time's inaugural sports icons list

Portia Woodman-Wickliffe has been named in the ‘Icons’ category of Time magazine’s inaugural Top 100 Most Influential People in Sports list, sitting alongside Lionel Messi, LeBron James, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Caitlin Clark in one of sport’s most expansive new honours.

The retired New Zealand winger, 34, is a two-time Rugby World Cup winner, two-time Olympic gold medalist, two-time Rugby World Cup Sevens winner, and Commonwealth Games gold medalist. She also holds the record for the most Test tries in New Zealand rugby history, having surpassed Doug Howlett’s mark with her 50th five-pointer at last year’s Rugby World Cup — the tournament she came out of retirement to contest.

Woodman-Wickliffe said the recognition caught her completely off guard. “It’s a bit like the Barbie. You just don’t expect it to happen, so when it happens, you’re like, okay, what does that mean?” she told Sport Nation’s Scotty Stevenson and Israel Dagg. “To be recognised along with some of the absolute GOATs of international sport — LeBron James, Messi, Ronaldo, Caitlin Clark — all these amazing athletes, I’m just buzzing. I looked at the list, and I was like, ‘why am I on here?’”

The two-time World Rugby Women’s Player of the Year acknowledged that her excitement is less about personal accolade and more about what the visibility signals for the women’s game. “I think it really highlights that we haven’t reached the ceiling yet. There are so many more opportunities, so many more ceilings to break through,” she said, pointing to younger New Zealand players such as Jorja Miller and Braxton Sorensen-McGee as the next wave carrying the sport forward.

“Hopefully it inspires the next, next generation of girls to reach for whatever it is that you want. Now, for our young, young girls, they have so many opportunities right in front of them, and it’s up to them to take them.”

The Time list divided its 100 honourees across four categories — Icons, Titans, Innovators, and Leaders — with Woodman-Wickliffe one of 26 placed in the Icons group. Her inclusion is the latest in a string of crossover recognitions for the winger, who last year had a Barbie doll modelled in her likeness.

Since retiring from playing, Woodman-Wickliffe has moved into broadcasting, making her commentary debut at the Hong Kong Sevens and preparing to contribute to Super Rugby Aupiki coverage. She has also announced plans to study midwifery.