New Zealand rugby star Ruahei Demant has expressed a strong desire to return to Premiership Women’s Rugby (PWR) in the future, as she concludes her temporary stint with the Bristol Bears. The Black Ferns fly-half joined Bristol four months ago on a short-term contract, taking advantage of a period without domestic rugby in her home country.
During her time with the Bears, Demant has made eight appearances, contributing two tries. Her final match will be a high-profile game against Harlequins this Saturday at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium.
Reflecting on her experience, Demant told BBC Sport, “Finishing my time with Bristol at the Big Day Out, playing in a stadium like [the Principality] for a second time, truly enhances my personal feelings about this occasion and what it means to me.” She emphasized that the people she met were the primary reason for her positive experience and her wish to come back. “The people have 100% made this experience for me what it is, and they are the reason why I’d love to come back, I’d love to return,” she stated.
However, Demant clarified that no discussions about a potential return to Bristol have taken place, citing “too many things in the air.”
The 30-year-old, a World Cup winner with New Zealand in 2021, arrived in Bristol following a challenging tournament where her country was surprisingly eliminated in the semi-finals, ending an 11-year unbeaten run in the World Cup. Demant described her time away from home as “very refreshing,” believing it has left her in a better mental state as she prepares for the upcoming Pacific Four Series in April.
She also noted the value of this period for introspection. “It’s also given me time to reflect really deeply on that campaign in the World Cup, and it’s given me a lot of time I probably wouldn’t have had back home,” she explained. Above all, the experience reaffirmed her love for the game: “But most importantly, it’s given me the opportunity to just play, which is why I love doing rugby – to play games.”
