NZ rugby great Portia Woodman-Wickliffe’s NRLW transfer turned down due to ambassador commitments.

An ambassadorial position with the Rugby World Cup has thwarted Portia Woodman-Wickliffe’s ambition to play in the NRLW.

The Kiwi rugby sensation was poised to switch codes and sign with the Newcastle Knights, which would have marked a significant achievement for the club and a notable boost for the league.

The Knights have been trying to register the 33-year-old player since last season, but they have yet to secure approval for her signing.

Having retired from rugby union at the conclusion of last season, Woodman-Wickliffe is now engaged as an ambassador for the forthcoming World Cup in England.

The tournament is scheduled from August 22 to September 27, which means the former Black Ferns winger will miss a week of the NRLW season to fulfil her ambassadorial obligations.

As reported by AAP, her absence during that week has delayed the approval of Woodman-Wickliffe’s registration.

Woodman-Wickliffe has been advised that her registration will only be considered once her other commitments do not conflict with her role at the Knights.

Woodman-Wickliffe has enjoyed tremendous success in rugby, earning an Olympic gold medal with the Kiwi sevens team and clinching two World Cup titles.

Her remarkable achievements on the field have also seen her named World Sevens Player of the Decade for the 2010s and recognised in the World 15s Team of the Decade.

Until earlier this year, she held the record for the most tries scored in world sevens until her former teammate Michaela Brake surpassed that tally in February.

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This wouldn’t be the first time a former Black Ferns player has transitioned to the NRLW; Tyla King, Stacey Waaka, and Tenika Willison were all featured in the 2024 season.

The league had previously allowed these stars to represent New Zealand in women’s sevens at the Olympic Games last year.

However, it appears the circumstances surrounding the approval of the trio’s registration is viewed differently than Woodman-Wickliffe’s situation.

Newcastle will kick off their new season on July 4, facing the league’s newest team, the Canterbury Bulldogs.