‘Breath of fresh air’ to play in PWR – Demantpublished at 14:48 GMT 27 November
Sophie Hurcom
BBC Sport England
Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption,
New Zealand’s Ruahei Demant
Just 48 hours after she landed in the UK, Ruahei Demant’s body might not have adjusted to the jet lag and drop in temperature – but the New Zealander’s “mind, body and soul” could not be more excited to be back in the northern hemisphere.
Demant is a former World Rugby player of the year and a World Cup winner with the Black Ferns with more than 50 caps for her country, yet the 30-year-old says the chance to spend four months playing in Premiership Women’s Rugby (PWR) for the first time with Bristol is a “breath of fresh air”.
She said: “I can’t believe how many supporters turn up to PWR matches, especially because it’s dark and it’s cold.
“It blows my mind, we don’t get that at home – even our domestic rugby. So everything; the players, the competition, the support, the fans – it’s all a breath of fresh air, it’s so exciting, I can’t wait to hear it, I can’t wait to play in it, I can’t wait to play against the opposition we’re coming up against.”
Conversations to bring the fly-half to Bristol started before the World Cup, with the Bears seeking cover at 10 following the retirement of Amber Reed and Holly Aitchison’s departure to Sale.
Demant, meanwhile, was searching for game time with the New Zealand rugby calendar now empty until the Pacific Four series in April and with the Super Rugby Aupiki league rescheduled to June.
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