Decisions, decisions
Under-fire Silver Ferns coach Janine Southby faces one of her most challenging selections today when she unveils her squad for the Commonwealth Games. BRENDON EGAN reports.
A returning mother and highly rated uncapped defender could headline the Silver Ferns’ Commonwealth Games squad today.
New Zealand’s 12-strong squad will be unveiled at Auckland Normal Intermediate with under-fire coach Janine Southby desperately needing to make some courageous selection calls to breathe fresh life into the struggling Ferns.
Features of the naming might include a recall for 12-test shooter Ameliaranne Ekenasio, who gave birth to a son, Ocean, in June, and New Zealand under-21 captain Michaela Sokolich-beatson, a goal defence-wing defence for the Northern Mystics.
Fresh off a poor January Quad Series, where they were thrashed by 19 goals against Australia and blew a six goal lead with 10 minutes left to lose to England in extra time, the Silver Ferns need to shake up their underperforming squad.
We’ll learn a lot about Southby and fellow Ferns selectors Gael Nagaiya, Ruth Aitken, Adrianne Hayes and Jo Morrison, from what names they come up with for the Games. Being conservative and selecting the same players who failed in the Constellation Cup and Quad Series won’t get the job done on the Gold Coast.
Stuff understands midcourt great Laura Langman, who made herself unavailable for selection and is taking time out from the sport in 2018, was the only player not able to be picked. Langman would need to be signed to a Kiwi franchise if she has aspirations to play in the 2019 World Cup.
The Games will be a critical tournament for Southby, whose position will come under even greater scrutiny should they fail to make the gold medal match for the first time in their history.
Ekenasio looks to have secured the fourth shooting spot alongside Maria Folau (nee Tutaia), Te Paea Selby-rickit and Bailey Mes. She returned to the court with the Fast5 Ferns in the abbreviated format in October.
Ekenasio is set to be preferred over 20-year-old Maia Wilson with her ability to cover both positions and long-range shooting prowess.
Uncapped Sokolich-beatson, 21, could be the defensive bolter, providing she is clear of a back issue from last year.
Sokolich-beatson captained the New Zealand under-21 side to the Youth World Cup title in July and was one of the tournament’s most outstanding players. She has been touted as a future Silver Fern and this might be the moment to thrust her into the spotlight ahead of next year’s World Cup.
Midcourter Shannon Francois, who lost her starting spot against England and Australia during the Quad Series, appears to have done enough to secure a spot for the Games.
Francois’ experience and versatility to play wing attack and centre should see her selected over youngster Whitney Souness and Gina Crampton, who hasn’t played since the Constellation Cup.
With Langman unavailable, the rest of the midcourt will be predictable. Grace Kara (nee Rasmussen), Sam Sinclair and Kayla Cullen shape as the preferred starting midcourt for the crunch games on the Gold Coast.
Defenders Jane Watson and Phoenix Karaka are set to be casualties given their lack of recent international court time. They been overtaken in the goal keep pecking order by Temalisi Fakahokotau, one of the Ferns’ most improved players, and appear to have missed out.
Kelly Jury’s 1.92m height and the way she shut down Australian captain and star shooter Caitlin Bassett in the Quad Series win in Invercargill in September, should be enough to cement her place. Jury has battled for extended court time in the January Quad Series and Constellation Cup.