Ruahei Demant
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By Fitzy Fan
Mana wahine, noun, A powerful Māori term for women of strength, influence and prestige. Ruahei Demant.
When Ruahei Demant leads the Black Ferns onto the field at Ashton Gate in their Rugby World Cup semi-final this weekend, she does so reaching yet another impressive milestone.
She is set to become just the third player to play 50 Test caps for the Black Ferns, behind the legendary Kendra Cocksedge and Seiuli Fiao’o Fa’amausili.
The journey to 50 Tests for Demant is one of resilience and determination.
Her potential was first recognised by Black Ferns great and then Auckland Storm assistant coach Anna Richards, who selected her as a teenager from her beloved College Rifles club team to play in the Farah Palmer Cup in 2013.
That promise took longer to come to the fore than she might have liked. Demant endured no fewer than three ACL injuries in as many years, and her persistence through these challenging times became an early marker of her fortitude.
She eventually returned to provincial rugby and was rewarded with a Black Ferns debut in 2018, immediately making her mark at the international level and cementing her place in the black jersey.
While balancing her growing stature on the field, away from rugby Demant was completing a Bachelor of Laws and Arts before working as a deputy registrar at District Court.
A turning point came in 2022. Able to step away from her legal career to take up a full-time rugby contract, Demant was thrust into the Black Ferns captaincy during a turbulent period for the team.
A winless Northern Tour, a damning culture review and wholesale coaching changes left the squad unsettled. With the bulk of the previous leadership group absent from selection, Sir Wayne Smith turned to Demant.
A calm, clear communicator on and off the field, she took it in her stride. Drawing on strength rooted in her whakapapa and Te Ao Māori values, she led with a cool confidence. Demant’s game went to new heights, as did that of the team, culminating in a Rugby World Cup win in front of a sold-out Eden Park.
On the back of the 2022 World Cup victory Demant was recognised as the World Rugby Player of the Year and swept the New Zealand Rugby Awards, winning the Kelvin R Tremain Memorial Player of the Year, Tom French Māori Player of the Year, and Black Ferns Player of the Year. She was appointed a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to rugby in 2023.
She has continued to add accolades to her already long list, part of the back-to-back Super Rugby Aupiki-winning Blues team in 2024 and 2025.
As she runs out for her 50th Test, Demant’s story is one of resilience rewarded. From setbacks and surgeries to best in the world, her strength, influence and prestige epitomise that of a true mana wahine.