RUAHEI DEMANT

Position
First Five / Second Five-Eighth

Blues debut
2021 v Chiefs

Blues caps
13

Born
21/04/1995

Height
170cm

Province
Auckland

Ruahei Demant is arguably one of the most recognisable faces in women’s rugby across the globe – she returns for her fifth year with the nib Blues. 

After making her Auckland Storm debut in 2013, Ruahei learnt the art of resilience after suffering three bad knee injuries while also juggling her work as a lawyer and playing rugby.  

Under the guidance of Black Ferns Head Coach, Wayne Smith, Ruahei was selected as Black Ferns Captain for the 2022 Rugby World Cup in New Zealand. Her cool, calm leadership helped the side retain the Cup and saw Ruahei named Women’s World Rugby Player of the Year.   

She continued to demonstrate her leadership qualities in the 2023 Aupiki season which flowed through to an international campaign where she was prominent.  

One of Demant’s best features for the nib Blues is her versatility – she’s an inside back who can cover both first-five and second-five with ease. 

She was once again an important cog in the Blues machine in the 2024 despite missing a few games with a wrist injury. Her cool demeanour and experienced guidance for the younger players was invaluable, especially leading into a Grand Final at Eden Park.   

Demant returns to the nib Blues in 2025 and will no doubt play an important role both on and off the field.