Silver Ferns feel the selection squeeze

Decisions made by the Silver Ferns netball selectors this week will set the course for the assault on the pinnacle events over the next two seasons.

The Silver Ferns have reached a critical juncture in the four-year cycle, with the 15-strong squad named on Monday likely to be the same pool of players from which next year’s Commonwealth Games team is picked.

The upcoming international season and the return leg of the Quad Series in January next year, is the last opportunity for young players to be examined in a test match environment, which may hasten some conversations around whether to promote young players now and gamble on them being ready for the major events.

This week’s trials in Auckland feature a raft of young talent, with several fresh faces pushing for inclusion in the squad, Pulse midcourter Whitney Souness and under-21 stars Monica Falkner and Michaela Sokolich-Beatson. There’s also a handful of players such as Sam Sinclair, Kelly Jury, Gina Crampton, Maia Wilson and Temalisi Fakahokotau who have test caps but are yet cement places.

The biggest headache for selectors looms in the midcourt, with a sudden influx of strong wing attacks putting incumbents Grace Rasmussen and Gina Crampton under pressure.

Silver Ferns coach Janine Southby is heartened by the strength of the new breed of midcourters.

“A few years ago the midcourt was a real concern, so from the selection panel who have been around a little while they’re really excited by what they are seeing in the midcourt,” she said.

Sinclair is looking to stand out among the log-jammed midcourt. The 22-year-old made her Silver Ferns debut in South Africa during the Quad Series earlier this year, but with a to their couple of key players rested from that tour, she is feeling the selection squeeze in this week’s trials.

“The next three series [Quad Series, Taini Jamison series and Constellation Cup] in terms of international exposure will be massive leading into Commonwealth Games next year and the World Cup the year after, so to be able to get more game time under my belt, especially against the likes of Australia will be really valuable. This is a critical time.”

Along with naming the wider Silver Ferns squad and development squad on Monday, Southby will also reveal her test line-ups for the first two series of the international season — the Quad Series, featuring Australia, England and South Africa; and the Taini Jamison series against the visiting England side.

Southby is expected to name slightly different line-ups for each series.