Black Ferns call in potential debutant as Ruahei Demant cover

Ahead of their WXV Global Series fixture against Scotland, Black Ferns head coach Whitney Hansen has called up uncapped first-five Arene Landon-Lane.

Prior to New Zealand’s first game of the autumn against France, it was confirmed that the team’s co-captain Ruahei Demant had been ruled out of the European leg of their tour.

It meant that New Zealand were captained by Georgia Ponsonby in Lyon, while Hannah King was the starting fly-half in the 28-14 win against France.

Demant sustained a calf injury in her team’s 52-20 win against the Springbok Women at FNB Stadium as part of Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry.

Her return to play is yet to be determined and it is hoped by the Black Ferns that Demant will return for their three-Test clash with France in October. The former World Rugby Women’s 15s Player of the Year will remain with the squad in Europe.

Landon-Lane is a versatile back, whose primary position is first-five. The 22-year-old turns out for the Hurricanes Poua in Super Rugby Aupiki and the Wellington Pride in the Farah Palmer Cup.

She played for the Black Ferns XV against the Black Ferns earlier this year at Maidstone Park in August.

Last season, as the Poua enjoyed their best Super Rugby Aupiki season ever, Landon-Lane scored two tries and beat 12 defenders.

To start the current Farah Palmer Cup season, Landon-Lane started in wins against the Otago Spirit and North Harbour.

The 22-year-old is now in line to make her Test debut against Scotland this weekend in Edinburgh. In their first game of WXV Global Series, Scotland lost 64-26 to Kévin Rouet’s rampant Canada. The North Americans now travel to Exeter to play the Red Roses at Sandy Park.

New Zealand will then play Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 champions, England. Over 50,000 tickets have already been sold for the clash at Allianz Stadium.