Ekenasio poised for comeback against Jamaica
Former Silver Ferns captain Ameliaranne Ekenasio is poised to make her long-awaited return to the black dress against Jamaica next month.
Goal attack Ekenasio last featured for the national side 18 months ago, captaining the Ferns to a Constellation Cup triumph over Australia in March last year.
She gave birth to her second child, daughter Luna in November, and returned in this year’s ANZ Premiership with the Waikato-bay of Plenty Magic.
Ekenasio wasn’t selected for the
Commonwealth Games, still working her way back with conditioning and seven games in 10 days in Birmingham proving a bridge too far.
The 47-test veteran, who was a pivotal member of New Zealand’s 2019 World Cupwinning side, was confirmed in the Ferns’ 17-player national squad last week.
The Silver Ferns squad to face Jamaica in a three-test series will be named next Wednesday. The first test in in Hamilton on September 17. Silver Ferns coach Dame Noeline Taurua hinted Ekenasio would likely be named to face the Sunshine Girls in what will be an intriguing series after Jamaica thumped the Ferns 67-51 in the semifinal at the Games. Ekenasio would boost the Ferns’ shooting end and provide them with another option alongside Grace Nweke, Maia Wilson, and Te Paea Selby-rickit.
‘‘Firstly her leadership skills on and off the court to add that into the current mix would strengthen our leadership group,’’ Taurua said.
‘‘But also what she brings on court and her ability to do her job at a high world-class level would definitely be an asset to us.’’
Jane Watson, who gave birth to daughter Tia in May, and fellow defender Karin Burger, who has been sidelined with a foot fracture, won’t feature against Jamaica or in October’s Constellation Cup against Australia.
Taurua expected both players would attend their December national training camp. If they impressed there, they would be in the selection frame for January’s Quad Series. Captain Gina Crampton, who has been granted a break for the rest of the year, will also return at the December camp.
With Crampton unavailable and Shannon Saunders announcing her pregnancy last week, the Ferns have a major opening at wing attack.
It will be the perfect chance for other midcourters to put their hand up and impress with the 2023 World Cup looming in Cape Town next year.
Whitney Souness, who was the Ferns’ starting centre in Birmingham, but mainly plays wing attack for the Central Pulse, should get extended time in the role.