Taurua shows her ruthless side
Noeline Taurua has stamped her mark on a Silver Ferns squad for the first time, making three changes for the Constellation Cup against Australia which starts on Sunday.
In come defender Sulu Fitzpatrick, uncapped wing attack Erikana Pedersen, and shooter Maia Wilson, with Karin Burger, Elisapeta Toeava, and Ameliaranne Ekenasio dropped from the 12-strong squad.
There was no place for shooter Bailey Mes, a fixture in the team in recent years who Taurua had been trialling at wing attack, amid concerns about her shooting accuracy.
Fitzpatrick is set to make her second appearance for the Silver Ferns seven years after making her first. She had a fine season for the Central Pulse in the national premiership, and Taurua has rewarded her for it.
‘‘Her combination with Katrina Grant was very strong,’’ Taurua said.
‘‘She’s a bigger-bodied person and she’s got a lot of presence in the circle, not that we were exposed, but she provides us something else in our defensive unit, and we’re looking for someone to explore that a bit more against Australia.’’
Pedersen impressed for the Mainland Tactix as they made it to the premiership finals, and got the nod on the back of her performances in camp this week, alongside Gina Crampton and ahead of Mes, Toeava and Whitney Souness, the other wing attack options.
‘‘She’s renowned for keeping possession of the ball, which is something we need to be able to do and execute under pressure,’’