Black Ferns v Canada - Rugby World Cup semi-final
Kick-off: 6am Saturday 20 September NZT
Ashton Gate, Bristol
Live blog updates on RNZ Sport
Ruahei Demant definitely gives off the impression that she doesn't want to be the centre of attention as the Black Ferns prepare for their biggest game yet of the World Cup. But whether she likes it or not, the player her teammates call 'Auntie' will receive a rousing reception when she runs out onto Ashton Gate tomorrow morning (NZT).
Demant will become only the third Black Fern to reach 50 tests, after World Cup winning captain Fiao'o Fa'amausili and the legendary Kendra Cocksedge. She said that simply playing one was something that she didn't think was possible.
"I never thought that I would ever debut for this team. I never thought I's get to 50 games, and I never thought that I'd be a leader, be a co-captain of this team, ever," said Demant from the team's base in Bristol.
Ruahei Demant. Photo: ActionPress
"Every test for me is an important moment to wear the black jersey, to enhance the legacy of the jersey and leave the jersey in a better place. At times, it's been really hard knowing the players who have worn the jersey before me, you know, Kelly Brazier, Victoria Subritzky-Nafatali, Anna Richards. There's a lot of great players with massive legacies that have worn the 10 jersey."
Had it not been for Covid or two ACL injuries , Demant would have reached this milestone probably two seasons ago, but even then, her ascension to the 50 test mark in eight seasons is an impressive feat. Demant's debut was against the Wallaroos at Accor Stadium in 2018, something she said was unforgettable.
"There's no other way to replicate the feeling of that moment and that week, because it only happens once…I always remember my debut," she said of the 31-11 win.
Ruahei Demant with fans, 2025 World Cup. Photo: ActionPress
Whānau has been a massive part of Demant's rugby journey, with sister Kiritapu a two-test Black Fern in 2015. The pair moved to Auckland as teenagers with Mother Vicky, who promptly dropped them off at College Rifles RFC in Remuera - a far cry from their rural hometown of Omaio in the eastern Bay of Plenty. From there the pair honed their skills to become formidable club and representative players, however their eventual call ups to the Black Ferns came three years apart. While Demant said it would have been special for the two to share the field in a test match, they shared a great deal of time together.
"We never got to play together in the black jersey, but we got to train together every day. And that's one of my favourite memories of this team is being able to share this with my sister."
But it's fair to say that Demant is far more concerned with the task at hand this Saturday morning. The Black Ferns face a very good Canadian side, who they have lost and drawn with in their last two meetings, with both sides having almost identical attacking and defensive statistics going into the semi-final.
Ruahei Demant at the Black ferns' farewell ceremony for the 2025 World Cup. Photo: ActionPress
"The fact that we're playing in a semifinal at a Rugby World Cup, that's so top of mind for me that I haven't really stopped to reflect," she said.
A win would see the Black Ferns into a final at Twickenham, the biggest stage ever seen for a women's rugby match. The 82,000 seat stadium is sold out for the final already, with red-hot favourites England highly favoured to be facing whoever wins the Black Ferns v Canada match.
If Demant and her side can make it, it sets up a rematch of the incredibly dramatic final in 2022, which is widely regarded as the greatest women's test match of all time. She played a key role in that now iconic World Cup run and is focused on repeating the effort and spoiling England's party.
"As a 10, you're a player who enforces the game plan that our coaches work so hard to put together. The best 10s are empathetic, that know how to connect with people. Otherwise, no one's going to listen to you. So I've got to put in the groundwork, I just think it's that's part of my job."
Team lists
Canada: 1. McKinley Hunt, 2. Emily Tuttosi, 3. DaLeaka Menin, 4. Sophie de Goede, 5. Courtney O'Donnell, 6. Caroline Crossley, 7. Karen Paquin, 8. Fabiola Forteza, 9. Justine Pelletier, 10. Taylor Perry, 11. Asia Hogan-Rochester, 12. Alexandra Tessier (c), 13. Florence Symonds, 14. Alysha Corrigan, 15. Julia Schell
Bench: 16. Gillian Boag, 17. Brittany Kassil, 18. Olivia DeMerchant, 19. Tyson Beukeboom, 20. Laetitia Royer, 21. Gabrielle Senft, 22. Olivia Apps, 23. Shoshanah Seumanutafa
Black Ferns: 1. Chryss Viliko, 2. Georgia Ponsonby, 3. Tanya Kalounivale, 4. Maiakawanakaulani Roos, 5. Alana Bremner, 6. Liana Mikaele-Tu'u, 7. Kennedy Tukuafu (cc), 8. Kaipo Olsen-Baker, 9. Risaleaana Pouri-Lane, 10. Ruahei Demant (cc), 11. Portia Woodman-Wickliffe, 12. Logo-I-Pulotu Lemapu-Atai'i Sylvia Brunt, 13. Stacey Waaka, 14. Braxton Sorensen-McGee, 15. Renee Holmes
Bench: 16. Atlanta Lolohea, 17. Kate Henwood, 18. Amy Rule, 19. Chelsea Bremner, 20. Layla Sae, 21. Maia Joseph, 22. Theresa Setefano, 23. Ayesha Leti-I'iga
