Black Ferns lose co-captain Ruahei Demant to calf injury before WXV opener against France

New Zealand’s Black Ferns have been dealt a significant blow ahead of their WXV Global Series opener, with co-captain Ruahei Demant ruled out after sustaining a calf injury during Saturday’s 52-20 victory over the Springbok Women at FNB Stadium. Demant, the 2022 World Rugby Player of the Year, had come off the bench for 10 minutes in what was part of a historic double-header in the Greatest Rivalry series.

The injury means the Black Ferns will be without their most-capped player — Demant’s 56 Tests are more than any other player in the current New Zealand squad — for a demanding run of fixtures that includes matches against France, Scotland, and a shot at ending England’s remarkable 38-match winning streak at Allianz Stadium.

With Demant sidelined, Georgia Ponsonby transitions from co-captain to sole captain of the squad. The Black Ferns coaching staff have not yet confirmed a replacement player, with an announcement expected within the coming days.

The loss also leaves New Zealand with a positional concern at fly-half. Hannah King is now the only specialist No.10 remaining in the squad following Demant’s exit, limiting the coaching staff’s options in what promises to be a fiercely competitive WXV campaign.