Head coach Whitney Hansen confirmed Anderson was still recovering from the calf injury and that, even without the concussion, the 24-year-old still wouldn’t have been available for selection.
“It was one of those ones on the injury list where we could have put calf and concussion, but concussion probably trumped that,” Hansen said.
“She wasn’t going to be available this week regardless and now won’t be for this week or next week with her concussion.”
Along with Demant’s return, there have been several changes to the team that lost to England last time out, with Shyrah Tuliau-Tua’a starting on the right wing and Maama Mo’onia Vaipulu named to start at lock.
Those additions see Mererangi Paul and Laura Bayfield move to the bench, with Vici-Rose Green and Ngano Tavake named as cover at hooker and loosehead prop respectively.
“I don’t think this Black Ferns team is ever going to be an easy one to select. We’ve got so much talent and everyone is good enough to play,” Hansen said.
“They always put the challenge on coaches, but probably rather than sort of easy and hard, the decision-making around it was more about how do we keep some of the continuity that we’ve grown and developed and keep those connections together, but also continue to think about who’s coming next and give them opportunities in other spaces as well.”
In addition to the test in Hamilton, the Black Ferns will meet France in Whangārei and Christchurch over the following two weeks as part of the home WXV Global Series calendar.
“France is always a threat no matter who they bring, right? They are so passionate within their space and the unpredictability that they bring when they play is pretty second to none in terms of competition that we get to play against,” Hansen said.
“There’s a physicality that they bring regardless of who their team is and I think they’re starting to look at a bit of a new look in terms of depth and who’s there and how they keep growing that talent, and what we know is that they’ve traditionally had a heap of depth within their squad and space.
“I think we know a little bit around the rugby, but I also think the challenge when you play a team three weeks in a row is you have to find new ways to be able to take on opportunities. If you exploit something one week, they figure that out and they’re going to be better again the next week.
“It’s a bit of a competition of moving the chess pieces and who can anticipate what’s coming next and sort of always being a bit of a step ahead. But also you learn from where they’re exposing us and you get to have another go at it, and that’s going to be really powerful as well.”
Black Ferns squad to play France in Hamilton
FMG Stadium. Saturday, October 17. 3.05pm kickoff.
Black Ferns: 1. Chryss Viliko, 2. Georgia Ponsonby (cc), 3. Veisinia Mahutariki-Fakalelu, 4. Maiakawanakaulani Roos, 5. Maama Mo’onia Vaipulu, 6. Liana Mikaele-Tu’u, 7. Elinor-Plum King, 8. Kaipo Olsen-Baker, 9. Maia Joseph, 10. Hannah King, 11. Ayesha Leti-I’iga, 12. Logo-I-Pulotu Lemapu-Atai’i Sylvia Brunt, 13. Amy Du Plessis, 14. Shyrah Tuliau-Tua’a, 15. Braxton Sorensen-McGee.
Bench: 16. Vici-Rose Green, 17. Ngano Tavake, 18. Santo Taumata, 19. Laura Bayfield, 20. Layla Sae, 21. Tara Turner, 22. Ruahei Demant (cc), 23. Mererangi Paul.
Unavailable: Mia Anderson (concussion, calf)
Christopher Reive joined the Herald sports team in 2017, bringing the same versatility to his coverage as he does to his sports viewing habits.