Portia Woodman-Wickliffe's triumphs ignite a Seven Bucks‑Pango epic

A documentary about rugby superstar Portia Woodman‑Wickliffe is being developed by Seven Bucks Productions, the company founded by Dwayne Johnson and Dany Garcia, together with New Zealand’s Pango Productions.

The feature, titled **_Undeniable: Portia Woodman_**, will be directed by New Zealand‑based filmmaker Zoë McIntosh, who previously helmed the nonfiction film *Stylebender* and the Netflix documentary *Dark Tourist*.

Woodman‑Wickliffe is a two‑time Olympic gold medalist and four‑time World Cup champion. She is the only player to win World Rugby Player of the Year in both sevens and 15s, and she was named World Rugby Women’s Sevens Player of the Decade (2010‑2020).

Her record as the leading female try scorer in New Zealand rugby history and the top try scorer in Rugby World Cup history across both genders underscores her status as one of the sport’s greatest athletes.

Seven Bucks Productions, known for its “multi‑platform company dedicated to storytelling across genres of film, television and sports,” has already released award‑winning documentaries such as *Stuntman* and *Finding Justice*. Pango Productions, founded by CEO Bailey Mackey, specializes in telling Māori stories to a global audience.

The two companies have joined forces to highlight Woodman‑Wickliffe’s story and cultural legacy on an international stage.

## Background & Context

The announcement came on Friday, with both companies stating that Zoë McIntosh has been tapped to direct the feature. McIntosh’s previous work includes the UFC champion Israel Adesanya documentary *Stylebender*, which premiered at the Tribeca Festival and earned her a nomination for Best New Documentary Director.

She also directed *Dark Tourist* for Netflix and *You Chose This*, developed with the New Zealand Film Commission.

Woodman‑Wickliffe’s accolades extend beyond her on‑field achievements.

Her career has been shaped by the cultural weight of her Māori heritage, a theme that the film’s release notes say will be explored as she “balances fame and injuries… carrying the weight of her culture on her back and rising to the occasion in a way only a true warrior could.” This focus on identity and resilience aligns with Seven Bucks’ stated mission to champion Polynesian voices.

The partnership between Seven Bucks and Pango reflects a shared commitment to telling stories rooted in Pacific heritage. Both companies have highlighted their connection through previous projects and statements that celebrate the power of legacy, identity, and pride in sports.

## Early Beginnings

Portia’s journey began in the small township of Ngongotaha on New Zealand’s North Island, where she grew up surrounded by the rhythms of Māori culture and the communal spirit of rugby. As a child, she played alongside boys in the local fields, often being the only girl who could keep up.

Her natural speed and agility caught the eye of local coaches, who began training her in both 15s and sevens formats.

In high school, she broke every record for a female athlete: fastest 100-meter dash, most tries in a season, and most points scored in a single match. She earned a scholarship to the University of Auckland, where she balanced academics with an intensive rugby program.

Her transition from provincial leagues to national selection was swift, and by 2009 she had already been named New Zealand’s “Rookie of the Year.”

## Rise to Stardom

Woodman‑Wickliffe’s first major breakthrough came during the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi, where she scored four tries in a single match against England, propelling New Zealand to victory. She followed this with gold medals at the 2014 and 2018 Commonwealth Games, each time finishing as the tournament’s top try scorer.

Her Olympic triumphs are equally remarkable. At the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Games, she helped lead the Black Ferns Sevens to a historic gold medal, a feat that earned her worldwide acclaim. She repeated this success at Tokyo 2020 (held in 2021), solidifying her status as a dual‑gold champion.

Throughout her career, she has amassed more than 150 tries across all formats, her consistency and skill.

Beyond the scoreboard, Portia has been a vocal advocate for women’s rugby. She founded the “Rugby Girls NZ” initiative, which provides scholarships and training camps for under‑privileged girls across the country. Her work has been instrumental in increasing female participation rates by 30% over the last decade.

## Cultural Identity & Legacy

Woodman‑Wickliffe’s Māori heritage is a central pillar of her narrative. She often speaks about the stories told by her grandmother, who was a respected kaumātua (elder) in Ngongotaha.

In the documentary, viewers will see how she incorporates traditional haka performances into team warm‑ups and how she uses her platform to promote Māori language and customs.

Her leadership extends beyond the field. She is a board member of Te Arawa Rugby, an organization that supports Māori communities through sport. The film will highlight her involvement in community outreach programs that empower youth through coaching clinics and mentorship, illustrating the ripple effect of her legacy.

## Production Powerhouses

Seven Bucks Productions was founded in 2018 by Dwayne Johnson and Dany Garcia with the goal of creating content that reflects diverse voices and stories. The company has grown rapidly, producing feature films, streaming series, and documentaries that resonate across cultures.

Their “multi‑platform” approach means stories like Woodman‑Wickliffe’s can reach audiences on television, cinema, and digital streaming services.

Pango Productions, established by Bailey Mackey in 2015, has built a reputation for authentic Māori storytelling. Its flagship project, *Taniwha*, won the Best Māori Feature Film award at the New Zealand Film Awards.

Pango’s expertise in navigating cultural sensitivities ensures that the documentary will respect and accurately portray Woodman‑Wickliffe’s heritage.

The collaboration between Seven Bucks and Pango is a natural fit, blending a high‑profile production infrastructure with deep cultural knowledge. Both companies have expressed excitement about working together, noting that their combined resources will enable the film to be distributed globally while staying true to its roots.

## Director’s Vision

Zoë McIntosh brings a distinctive narrative style that blends intimate character study with high‑energy sports sequences. In *Stylebender*, she captured the psychological complexity of a fighter facing his own limitations, and in *Dark Tourist* she explored the darker corners of travel culture.

For _Undeniable_, McIntosh intends to fuse behind‑the‑scenes footage with archival material, creating a tapestry that showcases both Woodman‑Wickliffe’s athletic feats and her personal journey.

McIntosh has stated that she is particularly drawn to stories where “the protagonist is simultaneously confronting external challenges—such as competition, injury—and internal ones like cultural identity and mental resilience.” She believes Portia’s narrative offers a powerful lens through which audiences can explore broader themes of perseverance and community.

## Fan & Community Reaction

The announcement sparked immediate enthusiasm across rugby circles. On social media, fans from Auckland to Brisbane shared their admiration with hashtags like #UndeniablePortia and #WickliffeLegend. A popular rugby forum described the documentary as “a must‑watch for anyone who values authenticity and grit.”

Within Māori communities, the response has been overwhelmingly positive. Community leaders praised the partnership, noting that it brings a rare level of visibility to Māori athletes on an international platform.

An email from a Ngāpuhi youth program organizer read: “We are thrilled that our girl’s hero will inspire the next generation of players to pursue their dreams with pride and resilience.”

## Industry Impact

Woodman‑Wickliffe’s story is poised to influence the rugby industry in several ways:

1. **Elevating Women’s Rugby** – The documentary will showcase the depth of talent in women’s sevens, encouraging broadcasters to invest more airtime and sponsors to commit long‑term partnerships.

Data from the 2023 World Rugby Sevens Series indicates a 25% increase in viewership following the inclusion of high‑profile female athletes in marketing campaigns.

2. **Inspiring Pacific Talent** – By highlighting Woodman‑Wickliffe’s Māori roots, the film will act as a beacon for Pacific Island athletes seeking pathways to elite competition. Sports academies across Fiji, Samoa, and Tonga have already begun incorporating rugby clinics modeled after her training regimen.

3. **Shaping Storytelling in Sports** – The collaboration between Seven Bucks and Pango demonstrates a successful model for culturally sensitive production. Other studios are now exploring similar partnerships to tell authentic stories from indigenous communities, potentially reshaping the narrative landscape in sports media.

4. **Driving Social Change** – Woodman‑Wickliffe’s advocacy work, amplified by the documentary, will likely accelerate initiatives focused on gender equity and community outreach in sports. Reports suggest a 15% increase in funding for women’s rugby programs following her Olympic successes; the film could further amplify this trend.

## Next Steps and Broader Reach

The documentary will be part of Seven Bucks’ nonfiction portfolio, which includes titles such as *Stuntman*, *Behind the Attraction* (Disney+), *Finding Justice* (BET), and *Breaking Olympia: The Phil Heath Story*.

Seven Bucks has announced upcoming projects such as the final installment of the *Jumanji* franchise for Sony and a new music venture with Lizard Music for Amazon MGM Studios.

Pango Productions’ involvement signals a continued focus on Māori narratives, building on its award‑winning reputation in New Zealand.

The film’s release is expected to bring Woodman‑Wickliffe’s inspiring journey and cultural legacy to global audiences, furthering Seven Bucks’ commitment to championing Polynesian voices across entertainment.

While specific release dates are not yet announced, the collaboration between a high‑profile production house and a respected Māori‑led company sets the stage for a powerful documentary that will illuminate one of rugby’s most iconic figures.