Tutaia the trend-setter?
Maria Tutaia won’t be the last Silver Fern to take a sabbatical to extend her international career, national coach Janine Southby believes.
As signposted by Stuff, star Silver Ferns shooter Tutaia will sit out at least part of next season’s national netball premiership with the Northern Mystics, following April’s Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast.
The 30-year-old, who has played 107 tests since debuting in 2005, has recommitted to the Mystics for the next two years. Tutaia is determined to prolong her career through to the 2019 World Cup in Liverpool, England, and win an elusive title having finished second in 2007, 2011 and 2015.
Over the past three years, Tutaia’s Silver Ferns’ involvement has been limited through injury, playing just five of a possible 19 tests since the 2015 World Cup. Last year, she battled with a bruised cuboid bone in her right foot, which had her in a moon boot and on crutches for two months.
Former All Black greats Richie Mccaw and Dan Carter both completed sabbaticals and fullback Ben Smith will miss eight tests later this year to freshen him up for the seasons leading up to the 2019 Rugby World Cup finals.
Tutaia would be a trend setter for New Zealand netball, but her break from the game isn’t expected to see her miss any games for the Silver Ferns, barring injury or form, Southby said.
‘‘We want them long-term, so we are going to have to manage them.’’
She praised the depth and talent pool New Zealand Rugby had built up over a long period of time and had to
Meanwhile, Silver Ferns trials will be held in Auckland from Monday to Friday with a 15-strong squad announced the following Monday, along with a national development squad. Twelve players will be named for the Quad Series.
Southby confirmed Cullen, who underwent a knee clean out, and New Zealand under-21 World Youth Cup title-winning captain Michaela Sokolich-beatson (back injury) would not take part in court work next week.
It is hoped Cullen might be fit for the Silver Ferns’ first Quad Series game against South Africa in Brisbane on August 26, but it was a week-by-week process.
Southby indicated the selectors would opt for five players in each third of the court in their squad with the midcourt expected to be hotly contested.
Skipper Grant, Jane Watson, Kelly Jury and Phoenix Karaka will be assured of defensive spots, leaving five players to likely fight it out for the other berth.