Silver Ferns recall for three past players

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FLASHBACK: Anna Scarlett plays for the Silver Ferns in 2005.

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The recall of Anna Scarlett after a three-year absence and the callup of emerging young Auckland star Grace Rasmussen were the features of the Silver Ferns squad named today to defend their gold medal at the Commonwealth Games.

Scarlett joins recent mothers Leana de Bruin and Daneka Wipiiti as former internationals returning to the fold, while Rasmussen is the only new cap after spending the last year on the fringes of selection.

The 12 players named by coach Ruth Aitken today will play the looming internationals against Samoa (next Saturday in Porirua), Jamaica and Australia and will then travel to the Games in Delihi in October.

Canterbury's Charlotte Kight and Anna Thompson were the unlucky trialists to miss the cut, with Aitken saying both had put plenty of pressure on during the four-day camp in Auckland.

"The three returning Silver Ferns brings together a really experienced group," Aitken said.

"Nine of the 12 have been to the Commonwealth Games before, they're a group who know the hard work, dedication and challenge that lies ahead but are committed to doing everything possible to making New Zealand proud."

Aitken said Rasmussen had player her way into the team after a strong performance at the training camp and confirmed the 22-year-old would be used as the goal-attack/wing-attack "slider".

"The selectors were hugely impressed with her work ethic, the increase in her strength and conditioning and the power she's bringing to the court.

"There a real confidence there now in the Silver Ferns environment. She's been part of the squad nearly a year now and has grown with every opportunity. She's a very creative, dynamic player."

Aitken said Rasmussen could expect to see time at both goal-attack and wing-attack during the looming season. "We played her a lot in that goal-attack role during the selection camp and found her to be outstanding."

De Bruin returns to the squad after taking last year off to have baby Caleb and along with Scarlett, who last played for the Ferns in 2006, provides some real height and athleticism to the defensive end of the Ferns.

Skipper Casey Williams said it was exciting to have two such established campaigners back in the side, joining her and Katrina Grant in what shapes as an imposing defensive line.

"They have the experience and knowledge, they've been there and done that before, and I think having four ‘tallies' in there is going to be a benefit for us. But we're also going to have to get low as well which is a good thing."

Aitken said Scarlett had showed enough during the selection camp to show she still had plenty to offer netball after three seasons on the beach volleyball tour.

"Quite frankly, she's still a bit rusty. She knows what she wants to do and hasn't quite got back into the groove yet. But we feel that she's got outstanding ability and really adds to the options we have in that defensive circle, especially in the air.

"We certainly know how she can play and how much of a menace she can be out on court. With the options we've got at the defensive end to have someone like her is going to be really beneficial."

Shooter Wipiiti previously played for the Ferns in 2002 and 2008 before taking last year out to have baby girl Kilani-Mae. She is coming off an outstanding ANZ Championship season with the Southern Steel and provides another legitimate option behind the established duo of Irene van Dyk and Maria Tutaia.

Rasmussen said it still felt "surreal" to have finally cracked the Ferns team, but Aitken made it clear how much it meant to the talented Aucklander to finally get that callup.

"The screams that came down the phone last night as I spoke to her made my heart really burst," said the Ferns coach.

"To be named in the Silver Ferns is an amazing achievement and to be able to say I'm going to the Commonwealth Games is even greater – it's a very cool feeling," said Rasmussen.

The Ferns will get together in Wellington on Wednesday to start preparations for the test against Samoa which will be played at 2pm at the Te Rauparaha Arena.

SILVER FERNS SQUAD: Liana Barrett-Chase, Leana de Bruin, Temepara George (vice-captain), Katrina Grant, Joline Henry, Laura Langman, Grace Rasmussen, Anna Scarlett, Maria Tutaia, Irene van Dyk, Casey Williams (captain), Daneka Wipiiti.

- © Fairfax NZ News