Defensive duo boost Silver Ferns training camp
The Silver Ferns’ depleted defensive stocks will get a boost with Kayla Johnson and Phoenix Karaka linking up for next month’s training camp in Wellington.
Experienced pair Johnson, ne´ e Cullen, and Karaka, who both became first-time mothers last year, will make welcome returns to the national environment.
Thirty players will be in the capital for the week-long camp, which runs from December 15-19, featuring both the Silver Ferns’ national and development squads.
The camp could end up turning into a trial for Silver Ferns spots with Netball New Zealand hopeful a series in England in late January gets the green light in the coming days.
Goal defence-wing defence Johnson has played 47 tests for the Ferns since 2011. She has returned to New Zealand after moving to Australia in 2019 with her rugby league-playing husband Shaun Johnson, who is back at the Warriors.
Circle defender Karaka was a member of the Ferns’ 2019 World Cup-winning side and has represented New Zealand 30 times since 2014.
Their inclusion in Wellington is a much-needed fillip for the Ferns’ defensive depth. In both the Constellation Cup against Australia and Taini Jamison Trophy against England this year, Ferns’ coach Dame Noeline Taurua could only name three frontline defenders in the squads because of injuries, unavailability, and failed fitness tests (in the Australian series).
The camp will be too early for fellow first-time mother Katrina Rore, and Silver Ferns captain Ameliaranne Ekenasio, who gave birth to her second child, daughter Luna, last month.
Johnson and Karaka are based in Auckland and their training and conditioning had been hindered by being in lockdown.
Taurua wasn’t sure where the duo and the other Auckland players would be at compared to the rest of the group, but said they would be realistic with their expectations. ‘‘There’s still a level of uncertainty around all the Aucklanders around the level of preparation, but also their ability to come into camp at the level we would have expected.
‘‘I’m very aware of their situation and not necessarily taking an easy approach – that won’t be it – but very aware of what we need to do in the spaces and the planning.’’
Leading defender Jane Watson, who underwent an ankle cleanout and stabilisation the day after the ANZ Premiership grand final in August, will be at the camp. She would be managed carefully in her return to the court, Taurua said.
Another defender, Sulu Fitzpatrick, will also be treated cautiously in Wellington after hyperextending a knee at training during the Ferns’ series against England in September. Fitzpatrick would be at the camp, but on a managed workload.