Ferns need to fill five places
Eight months out from the Netball World Cup, the Silver Ferns have a crisis in their shooting circle. New coach Noeline Taurua likely has five spots to settle on in the Ferns 12-player squad for the July tournament in England.
The 3-1 Constellation Cup series loss to Australia exposed a raft of shortcomings.
The national premiership, which starts earlier on February 24 because of the World Cup, will be pivotal in determining which players on the fringes push through and secure their seat on the plane.
Only two series remain for the Ferns before their opening World Cup game – January’s Northern Quad Series and June’s Taini Jamison Trophy against yet-to-be confirmed opposition, which could feature Pacific Island nations.
Shooters
Shooting remains the most glaring issue confronting Taurua, with time ticking to find a starting combination she can trust. Maria Folau, who is expected to bow out after the World Cup, is a certainty. Te Paea Selby-Rickit, who started in three of the four tests against Australia, was well below her best. There will probably be a place for her at the World Cup, given her experience, ability to cover both shooting roles, and a lack of alternatives.
Young goal-shoots Aliyah Dunn, who was a standout for the Pulse, and Maia Wilson, had a small amount of court time against the Australians, but neither hammered the selection door down.
Tactix goal shoot Ellie Bird, whose 1.96m height offers a point of difference, Monica Falkner, and possibly Tiana Metuarau, could be names to watch in the premiership.
Midcourt
Laura Langman selects herself, while Sam Sinclair and firstchoice wing-attack Gina Crampton have the inside running. That leaves a stack of midcourters jostling for possibly one place in the squad.
With Langman and Sinclair capable of covering centre and wing-defence, it could spell bad news for Pulse duo Claire Kersten and Karin Burger, and the unwanted Shannon Francois.
Taurua might decide to take another wing-attack, which would see a three-way battle between Erikana Pedersen, Elisapeta Toeava and Whitney Souness.
Tactix young-gun Kimiora Poi, primarily a centre, could loom as a bolter.
Defence
Katrina Grant, Casey Kopua and Jane Watson should all be in Liverpool.
New Zealand under-21 World Cup title-winning skipper Michaela Sokolich-Beatson has yet to make a big impact at international level.
Temalisi Fakahokotau was struck down by a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament. She has undergone knee surgery, but the World Cup looks an unrealistic turnaround for her recovery, weakening the Ferns defensively.
Kelly Jury and Erena Mikaere are potential wildcards.