Portia Woodman is one of the leading players on the women's rugby sevens circuit.
Portia Woodman is one of the leading players on the women's rugby sevens circuit.
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The former netballer was named New Zealand's Women's Sevens Player of the Year after her first full season playing the game, having made her debut in 2013.
The former netballer was named New Zealand's Women's Sevens Player of the Year after her first full season playing the game, having made her debut in 2013.
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In November 2015, Woodman was named the world's top women's sevens player. She received her coveted prize the day after the men's All Blacks won the Rugby World Cup final at Twickenham.
In November 2015, Woodman was named the world's top women's sevens player. She received her coveted prize the day after the men's All Blacks won the Rugby World Cup final at Twickenham.
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The winger is excited by the growing stature of rugby sevens. "If people recognize us after the Olympics that is awesome, no matter what," Woodman told CNN.
The winger is excited by the growing stature of rugby sevens. "If people recognize us after the Olympics that is awesome, no matter what," Woodman told CNN.
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Woodman, whose father and uncle played for the All Blacks, was prolific in the 2015 Sevens World Series tournament in Brazil, posting a record 13 tries.
Woodman, whose father and uncle played for the All Blacks, was prolific in the 2015 Sevens World Series tournament in Brazil, posting a record 13 tries.
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Here she scores the first of two against rival Australia in the final, held just outside Sao Paulo. Woodman was named player of the tournament. <br />
Here she scores the first of two against rival Australia in the final, held just outside Sao Paulo. Woodman was named player of the tournament.
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She is proud to follow in her father's footsteps, and channels the famed All Blacks mentality on the pitch. "We do the haka if we've won a tournament or if we feel particularly confident," she says. <br />
She is proud to follow in her father's footsteps, and channels the famed All Blacks mentality on the pitch. "We do the haka if we've won a tournament or if we feel particularly confident," she says.
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Here she celebrates a try with Kayla McAlister, her friend and former Northern Mystics netball teammate who joined her at the talent trials where they were discovered by NZ rugby coaches.
Here she celebrates a try with Kayla McAlister, her friend and former Northern Mystics netball teammate who joined her at the talent trials where they were discovered by NZ rugby coaches.
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Like Woodman, McAlister also has rugby roots. Her dad was a former rugby league pro and brother Luke is an ex-All Black.
Like Woodman, McAlister also has rugby roots. Her dad was a former rugby league pro and brother Luke is an ex-All Black.
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"I'm focused when I need to be focused," Woodman says. "I can't be focused all the time, otherwise I kind of spin myself out of control. I'm totally on it when I cross that white line or in the gym, but most of the time I'm up for a laugh and a good time."<br />
"I'm focused when I need to be focused," Woodman says. "I can't be focused all the time, otherwise I kind of spin myself out of control. I'm totally on it when I cross that white line or in the gym, but most of the time I'm up for a laugh and a good time."
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The New Zealand women won the 2014-15 World Series title at a canter, but trailed rivals Australia ahead of this season's third round in Atlanta.
The New Zealand women won the 2014-15 World Series title at a canter, but trailed rivals Australia ahead of this season's third round in Atlanta.
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The Black Ferns are yet to hit top gear, with star players Woodman and McAlister suffering injuries. Here Woodman is carried off in Sao Paulo in February.
The Black Ferns are yet to hit top gear, with star players Woodman and McAlister suffering injuries. Here Woodman is carried off in Sao Paulo in February.
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However, coach Sean Horan has nonetheless remained upbeat, telling reporters that 2016 is all about who wins Olympic gold.
However, coach Sean Horan has nonetheless remained upbeat, telling reporters that 2016 is all about who wins Olympic gold.
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