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Rio 2016: Portia Woodman's Olympic dream

By Henry Young

Updated 1935 GMT (0335 HKT) April 6, 2016

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Portia Woodman is one of the leading players on the women's rugby sevens circuit.
Photos: Full contact: From netball to rugby sevens
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.
Photos: Full contact: From netball to rugby sevens
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.
Photos: Full contact: From netball to rugby sevens
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.
Photos: Full contact: From netball to rugby sevens
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.
Photos: Full contact: From netball to rugby sevens
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 />
Photos: Full contact: From netball to rugby sevens
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 />
Photos: Full contact: From netball to rugby sevens
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.
Photos: Full contact: From netball to rugby sevens
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.
Photos: Full contact: From netball to rugby sevens
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 />
Photos: Full contact: From netball to rugby sevens
"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.
Photos: Full contact: From netball to rugby sevens
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.
Photos: Full contact: From netball to rugby sevens
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.
Photos: Full contact: From netball to rugby sevens
However, coach Sean Horan has nonetheless remained upbeat, telling reporters that 2016 is all about who wins Olympic gold.
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Portia Woodman Sevens: No stopping herPortia Woodman Sevens: NZ Player of the Year 2013Portia Woodman Sevensolympic ringsPortia Woodman Sevens: Hands OffPortia Woodman Sevens: with ball vs AustraliaPortia Woodman ProfilePortia Woodman Sevens: Kayla McAlisterKayla McAlister Rugby SevensPortia Woodman Sevens: CelebratesPortia Woodman: Maradona moment Canada Sevens Portia Woodman: Carried off during Brazil sevens New Zealand Rugby Sevens: Sean Horan Portia Woodman
New Zealander Portia Woodman traded non-contact netball for the frenetic game of rugby sevens, which will be an Olympic sport for the first time in 2016.