Mix of youth, experience in World Cup squad
WELLINGTON: Noeline Taurua has announced a 12strong Silver Ferns team to contest the 2023 Netball World Cup in Cape Town.
Six players are set to make their debut at netball's pinnacle event.
The defending world champions will be captained by Ameliaranne Ekenasio, who is heading to her second Netball World Cup, alongside cup debutantes Grace Nweke, Maia Wilson, Whitney Souness, Maddy Gordon, Kate Heffernan and Kelly Jury.
Shooter Te Paea SelbyRickit,
midcourter Gina Crampton and the defensive trio of Jane Watson, Karin Burger, and Phoenix Karaka, along with Ekenasio, will return to help win the title again they won in Liverpool in 2019.
For the first time, teams are also able to take three reserves outside their 12person squad
who can replace a player who has been ruled out by illness or injury.
Taurua has confirmed Tiana Metuarau, Mila ReueluBuchanan and Sulu Fitzpatrick will travel with the side. Once an original squad member is replaced, however, they cannot return later in the tournament.
The Silver Ferns selectors were at the ANZ Premiership final on Sunday between the Mystics and Stars, with no time for trials, and final selections came down to the wire.
‘‘I think the ANZ Premiership has truly delivered this season and enabled myself and the selectors to see our athletes at their best and in all sorts of pressurefilled situations,’’ Taurua said.
‘‘It has been one of the closest competitions we've ever had, and of a high standard with some extremely tight results, which has provided a strong environment before we step on to netball's biggest stage.
‘‘I would like to thank all ANZ Premiership teams for the work they have done to help prepare the athletes and provide a fierce competition.’’
Nweke and Wilson have been the standout shooters during the ANZ Premiership as the most prolific and most accurate scorers respectively, the latter also showing her versatility having worn the black dress in the goal attack role previously.
The most contentious area was the midcourt.
The midcourt trio of Souness, Gordon and Heffernan can all cover various roles as can the defensive quartet.
‘‘We have selected a couple of players who are specialists,’’ Taurua said.
‘‘However, the majority offer positional versatility.’’
During the demanding tournament the Silver Ferns will play eight matches in 10 days.
Crampton is the most experienced Silver Fern named with 63 test caps to her name. Karaka has 50 caps and is the only player named heading to a third World Cup.
‘‘I'm excited with this group of athletes we have selected,’’ Taurua said.
‘‘We have stability with experience and players who have specific specialist skillsets. We have versatility with slide options.
‘‘We have worked our depth over the past two years and provided oncourt opportunities.
‘‘Youthful exuberance adds that exciting flavour.
‘‘We go into these selections with our eyes wide open and with purpose.’’
The World Cup in South Africa is from July 28 to August 6.— RNZ