“My soul, my heart, my mind are just so excited” – Black Ferns star Ruahei Demant enters the PWR fray
There were echoes of Ilona Maher when Bristol Bears dropped the news that they had snatched up Kiwi Ruahei Demant on a short-term deal. Social media certainly reacted like it.
The 30-year-old, who can play at fly-half and centre, signed a four-month deal with eighth-placed Bears, and became the sixth Black Fern to touch down in the PWR this season.
Demant landed on Sunday, and met the Bears squad the following day with all eyes on the derby day clash against Gloucester Hartpury this Sunday.
Swaddled in a Bristol Bears-embossed puffa, Ruahei Demant spoke to the English media for the first time this week.
“The sleep’s still all over the place, and the body is struggling to adjust to the cold, but my soul, my heart, my mind are just so excited.
“I was just so shocked at how world-class the facilities are.
“What was also really cool is that everyone in the environment is collaborative. There’s no real separation with the boys. And that really surprised me because we don’t really have that at home.”
The free-running fly-half’s style should suit Bears down to the ground, and comes as a timely replacement for the injuries they have suffered in the backline.
Bears coach Scott Lawson says: “Her rugby CV speaks for itself, doesn’t it? Her experience as a player, her ambition, I think aligns perfectly with what we want to do as a club.”
Playing in all six Black Ferns games this 2025 Rugby World Cup, Lawson praises her “heads-up” game and “expansive rugby”.
Demant agrees: “Sitting down with Scott and Tom – and even earlier when Dave was here – they spoke about the way that the team plays, the way the team likes to run the ball, the bravery that the girls show, and that was right up my alley.”
Offload
Looking towards her future teammates, there was someone who had already caught her eye in Bristol’s 45-19 Round Four loss.
“I watched the girls’ game against Trailfinders. And when I was watching Sarah Bern, I said to my family, “oh, man, I can’t wait to get an offload off her.’”
This short team deal means Demant is able to return in time for New Zealand’s domestic calendar next year but “heaps” more New Zealand based players are eyeing up a move to the PWR, according to Demant.
Their national league, Sky Super Rugby Aupiki, is made up of only four teams: Blues, Chiefs Manawa, Hurricanes, and Matatū. Demant has played for the Blues since 2021.
“First thing is that there’s no rugby in New Zealand at the moment, and so how are we going to get better if there’s no games? Secondly, this is the best competition in the world.
“I’m excited to learn new things, play a different style, grow and evolve as a player, and obviously make new friends.”
Black Ferns star Ruahei Demant’s likely first game for Bears will be broadcast on TNT Sports, when Bristol host Gloucester Hartpury this Sunday 30th November at 12:30pm, at Ashton Gate in the West Country derby.
Photos: World Rugby, Instagram, Bristol Bears
