Pulse look to keep bulk of squad

The 2018 Central Pulse team is rapidly taking shape.

This year’s national premiership runners-up have already resigned coach Yvette Mccauslanddurie, captain Katrina Grant and now goal attack Tiana Metuarau and wing attack Whitney Souness. Confirmation of defender Karin Burger’s retention is imminent and, all up, Mccausland-durie is hopeful seven players will be over the the line by Sunday.

The Pulse have six players attending the Silver Ferns trials, which start in Auckland on Monday. Wing defence Claire Kersten is one of those and is expected to re-sign very soon, while negotiations are ongoing with Ameliaranne Ekenasio.

The former Silver Fern recently gave birth to a boy and has been pencilled in as a direct replacement for Cathrine Tuivaiti, who is off to play in Australia.

‘‘She’s back playing a little bit of club netball. Her shooting’s always been amazing, but it’s just about getting herself back physically and managing time,’’ Mccausland-durie said of Ekenasio.

Next year’s competition doesn’t start until May with contracts now commencing on January 29 rather than the old date of December 1. But, given she doubles as assistant coach of the Silver Ferns, Mccausland-durie would like most of the the Pulse’s contracting to be concluded before those commitments start in earnest.

Not a huge amount was expected from the Pulse this year or Mccausland-durie, so getting such a young, scratch combination to the competition decider was some achievement.

‘‘I never felt we played a complete game, so I’d probably put us at around 8 and a half, 9 [out of 10]. For myself, there were moments where I felt I was really clear around what I was doing, in terms of my delivery and content,’’ said Mccausland-durie.