Black Ferns legend Portia Woodman-Wickliffe has been named one of the 100 Most Influential People in Sports for 2026 by TIME Magazine.

Our rugby community is beaming with pride today following a massive global acknowledgment for a homegrown legend. Retired Black Ferns superstar Portia Woodman-Wickliffe has been named in TIME Magazine’s inaugural list of the 100 Most Influential People in Sports for 2026.

The 34-year-old Northland powerhouse features in the prestigious ‘Icons’ category, sitting comfortably alongside global heavyweights like NBA superstar LeBron James, football maestro Lionel Messi, and alpine skiing queen Mikaela Shiffrin. Woodman-Wickliffe, who officially hung up her boots for a second time in February, was recognized for her historic legacy. She retired as the leading try-scorer in New Zealand rugby history—men’s or women’s—cementing her 50th international try during last year’s World Cup campaign in England. It’s an incredibly well-deserved global nod for an athlete who changed the game for women’s sport across Aotearoa.