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A living doll! PORTIA'S MINI-ME

New Zealand Woman's Weekly

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November 3, 2025

The rugby legend admits her latest goal is a baby

A living doll! PORTIA'S MINI-ME

She's won almost every accolade and trophy there is in rugby, so it's no surprise that Portia Woodman-Wickliffe is one of four women's players from around the world selected by Mattel to have a one-of-a-kind Barbie made in their likeness.

Despite her success, the Black Ferns star admits she thought she was being scammed when the offer first came in.

"I thought, 'Is this the real Barbie or is this just some person trying to tease me?'" the 34-year-old laughs.

But once it sank in, she appreciated the privilege of being recognised in the same way as some of her own sporting heroes.

"To be alongside the likes of Valerie Adams and Melodie Robinson — women who have written their name in history - is such an honour," she says, speaking to the Weekly from her home in Tauranga.

image"When I was seven, I played with a Barbie who had blonde hair, blue eyes and was a skinny little thing. Now I think about these young girls who can see a Māori girl with curly hair and muscles – it's an inspiration and it makes me proud."

It's just another unexpected twist in a year that Portia didn't expect.

Last year, she retired from international rugby after winning gold with the Black Ferns Sevens at the Paris Olympics.

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