Sevens: Woodman ready to line up for New Zealand

Women's player of the year Portia Woodman has landed in Dubai to play for the Black Ferns Sevens side. Photo / Getty Images

There's no sign of rest in Portia Woodman's life at the moment.

After being named women's player of the year at the World Rugby Awards on Monday, the Kaikohe flyer has linked up with her New Zealand teammates in Dubai.

New Zealand begin their bid to win back-to-back world series crowns in the opening round of the 2017/18 series.

The Black Ferns Sevens won five of the six tournaments in the 2016/17 world series.

Dubai's December 1 and 2 event is the first of five tournaments to be played in the new season with captain Sarah Goss to lead out a strong squad.

She will be joined by the experienced Tyla Nathan-Wong and electric winger Woodman.

The women will also play tournaments in Sydney in late January, Japan in April, Canada in May and Paris in June.

Women's sevens also makes its debut at the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games in April.

New Zealand earlier this month opened their international women's sevens season in style, beating Australia 12-5 in the final of the Oceania Championship in Suva.

The near-full strength Black Ferns had too much class for the Olympic champions in wet conditions, scoring a try in each half in the November 11 game.

The full team for Dubai is: Sarah Goss (captain), Ruby Tui, Alena Saili, Stacey Waaka, Niall Williams, Michaela Blyde, Tyla Nathan-Wong, Gayle Broughton, Kat Whata-Simpkins, Theresa Fitzpatrick, Portia Woodman and Kayla McAlister.