Portia Woodman-Wickliffe has recorded a heartfelt message of congratulations for Michaela Brake, who is now the all-time top try-scorer in women’s HSBC SVNS. Brake reached the milestone with a masterful five-try haul in an eight-minute blitz of Ireland at BC Place.
As one of the more decorated sevens players in the sport’s history, Brake is already considered a legend of the sport, but more individual greatness was within reach when the Black Ferns Sevens ran out onto the synthetic turf at the Canadian venue on Saturday (NZST).
Woodman-Wickliffe held first position on the all-time try-scoring leaderboard, but Brake only needed three tries to reach a milestone the New Zealander has been chasing for quite some time. That dream was realised on a memorable opening day at SVNS Vancouver.
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The two-time Olympic gold medallist scored two tries in as many minutes as New Zealand took hold with a strong lead over Ireland early on. But that was just the start for the women in black, with Brake racing away for that try after breaking a tackle attempt in the fifth minute.
That wasn’t all for Brake either, who now sits a few tries clear of Woodman-Wickliffe after scoring twice more during New Zealand’s 58-7 annihilation of last season’s SVNS Perth champions Ireland.
Woodman-Wickliffe is one of the greatest women’s rugby players of all time, and what the powerful winger achieved in both sevens and 15s is the stuff of legend. But with one trailblazer surpassing another for this record, the retired great made sure to congratulate her “little sis.”
“Massive congratulations to you for becoming the top try-scorer in the Sevens World Series.
“I know you’ve been chasing me all that time and I’m glad, I’m so glad, that I finished before you got to take over because that would’ve really pissed me off, but I’m really, really proud of you.
“I’m grateful that I got to play alongside you, not many times I had to go against you.
The moment Michaela Brake created #HSBCSVNS history 🇳🇿👏#HSBCSVNSVAN pic.twitter.com/pBEEsIx43H
— HSBC SVNS (@SVNSSeries) February 21, 2025
“You’re a beast on the field, you’ve been a legend for the women’s game, for women’s sport, for rugby, and we’re so proud of you.
“To achieve this and you’re still so young, man, look at how far you can go from here.
“Extremely proud of you, smash it with the girls, I’ll see you when you get back.”
Brake received a well-earned rest throughout most of the second half, with New Zealand continuing to stamp their sevens authority on Ireland. Mahina Paul (double), Alena Saili, Stacey Waaka and Jorja Miller all crossed for tries, while debutant Maia Davis converted a try.
After a 41-nil half-time lead, the 51-point triumph in the end was a statement win from the Black Ferns Sevens who are looking to defend their SVNS Vancouver crown this weekend. But, for now, this moment is about Michaela Brake.
“Full credit to Portia Woodman,” Brake said on the broadcast. “She’s been the top try-scorer for her whole career and she set those standards, she put women’s sevens on the map. To chase her has been an honour and I’m very grateful she was on my team.
“She’s been a role model of mine, ever since I’ve been in this team since 2012… I’m going to hold onto it for as long as I can until Maddi Levi passes me.”
