Cup blow for Madi
Diamonds vice-captain fails to make cut
MADI Robinson is determined to prove she has “plenty to offer” the Diamonds ahead of the Commonwealth Games after selectors made the bold move to drop the midcourt star for next month’s Constellation Cup.
The selection shock comes as the Diamonds prepare to enter another series without defensive enforcer Sharni Layton, who is not yet ready to return after missing last month’s quad series loss due to exhaustion.
Robinson, the Diamonds’ joint vice-captain, has been left out in favour of Vixens’ captain Kate Moloney and Firebird Caitlyn Nevins, who come into the team of 13 to face New Zealand.
Nevins made her Diamonds’ debut in January this year, while Moloney is yet to debut for the Diamonds after being named in the squad for the first time in June.
Robinson said she was “really disappointed” to be out of the Constellation Cup team, but was focused on winning back her spot for January’s quad series.
“My focus now will be to continue my training and prepare as well as I can for team selection ahead of the upcoming quad series and Commonwealth Games in 2018,’’ the Magpies captain said.
“Given the (Super Netball) season doesn’t start until after the Games have finished, the time spent on the training court with the Magpies and our practice matches in the coming months will provide me with the best opportunity to prove that I still have plenty to offer at international level for my country.
“I look forward to the challenge.’’
Diamonds coach Lisa Alexander said the decision to omit Robinson was “really difficult”, but added selectors had not seen the performances they wanted from the 54-Test veteran during last month’s quad series.
While she retained her pos- ition in the team, it’s understood centre Kim Ravaillion has also been put on notice about her midcourt form.
“We don’t want it to look like Madi is a scapegoat for that final game. I’ve made that really clear to her, too,’’ Alexander said of the Diamonds’ 10-goal loss to the Silver Ferns that handed them the series win.
“At the end of the day we have to make decisions based on what we saw across the series. We know that performances have not quite been there that we would want to see so we have to make decisions around next year and what we’ve got to look at.
“Unfortunately for Madi that’s the reality and it’s a very harsh one, but she has got a lot of character and a lot of determination and we are going to work together.’’
Alexander said Moloney and Nevins “absolutely deserved” their call-ups for the four-Test series that starts in Auckland on October 5.
The Diamonds coach said Layton was “not quite ready to go”, but was confident she would be able to rejoin the Diamonds in January.
“It was always going to be difficult to get herself physically in shape for this tour,’’ she said.