More Ferns could follow Tutaia
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 re-committed 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.
She would undergo rest and recovery when needed and be closely monitored by the Mystics and Silver Ferns medical and coaching teams.
Several leading Silver Ferns, including captain Katrina Grant, Kayla Cullen, Grace Rasmussen, Shannon Francois and Bailey Mes might be in a similar situation to Tutaia in the future, given the large amount of netball they have played in recent years, and in Cullen’s case, injuries.
Southby supported the idea if it meant New Zealand’s premier netballers could continue in the sport and compete at pinnacle events, like the Commonwealth Games and World Cup.
‘‘For some of [the players], they’re green and they’re young and they don’t know. For some of the older ones, maybe there is an
Shooters: Monica Falkner (Magic), Bailey Mes (Mystics), Tiana Metuarau (Pulse), Te Paea SelbyRickit (Steel), Maria Tutaia (Mystics), Maia Wilson (Stars).
Midcourt: Gina Crampton (Steel), Kayla Cullen (Stars), Shannon Francois (Steel), Claire Kersten (Pulse), Erikana Pedersen (Tactix), Grace Rasmussen (Magic), Samantha Sinclair (Magic), Whitney Souness (Pulse) Elisapeta Toeava (Mystics).
Defenders: Karin Burger (Pulse), Temalisi Fakahokotau (Tactix), Katrina Grant (Pulse), Kelly Jury (Magic), Phoenix Karaka (Pulse), Storm Purvis (Mystics), Michaela Sokolich-Beatson (Mystics), Zoe Walker (Tactix), Jane Watson (Tactix).
opportunity for them to have some time out at some stage.
‘‘It’s new territory for us. What one player needs someone else may not need. It’s a case by case basis.’’
Leading into the 2019 World Cup, New Zealand netballers face a busy schedule with the 2018 and 2019 domestic competitions, Commonwealth Games, Silver Ferns’ commitments, Fast5 World Series and the Super Club tournament.
Making sure players were in peak condition for the World Cup and were fresh mentally and physically was pivotal, 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 pick from.
Netball New Zealand were doing all they could to improve their player base, which competitions such as the second-tier Beko League had created.
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 cleanout, 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.
Following the international retirements of former captain Casey Kopua, Leana de Bruin and Anna Harrison, Southby said New Zealand had been shorn of veteran leadership in the defensive circle.
‘‘We will hurt from the experience we’ve lost from that, but I think we have got capable players starting to come through.’’