Canterbury pair left out of Silver Ferns

BY GEOFF LONGLEY

Canterbury is without representation in the Silver Ferns netball team for forthcoming international series after triallists Anna Thompson and Charlotte Kight failed to make the cut.

National coach Ruth Aitken explained yesterday their omission had nothing to do with the Tactix performances in the trans-Tasman league, when they won only one of 13 games.

"We felt both girls had good seasons in the ANZ championship, but the competition at the trials was pretty cut-throat."

Both players were in the Silver Ferns squad last season, with Thompson gaining one cap and Kight uncapped.

Kight played goal keep or goal defence for the Tactix but Aitken said the selectors viewed her more as a goal defence-cum-wing defence at international level and she needed to do more work developing that facet of her game.

"We see her as a Jolene Henry-type of player, who can fill both positions, and I'm sure she will in time."

Aitken said Kight needed to develop greater confidence attacking through court, which would come with experience.

She added it was unfortunate for Kight that Anna Scarlett and Leana De Bruin were available again, as that put a squeeze on the defensive positions.

"I'm sure if she keeps working hard, she is only 21, her chance will come."

Aitken also felt for Thompson, who was essentially bypassed in favour of the uncapped Grace Rasmussen, who was seen as a more dynamic player.

Although Rasmussen, 22, spent most of the trans-Tasman league playing at wing attack for the Northern Mystics, she was viewed as a goal attack/wing attack.

"She played there primarily because Maria Tutaia and Cathrine Latu were established."

Aitken felt Thompson needed to develop her explosiveness further to become a greater threat.

The coach said she would call Kight and Thompson this weekend to discuss the areas of their game they needed to work on.

Effectively, the pair were the only triallists to miss out, with Latu and Camilla Lees unavailable for selection and Wendy Telfer injured.

Aitken defended the recall of defenders De Bruin and Scarlett and shooter Daneka Wipiiti, saying it was not a backward step.

"They are hardly over the hill. Irene van Dyk is 38 and gets better every year. Experience is vital in pressure situations."

Aitken said Thompson and Kight remained squad members and were likely to be included in the team for the Fastnet series in England in October, when the majority of the established players will be having a break.

The Ferns gather in Wellington on Wednesday and open their international season with a one-off test against Samoa at Porirua next Saturday, before a series against Jamaica and Australia.

The team then heads to the Commonwealth Games in India in early October.

Noeline Taurua will coach the Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic netball side next year.

The appointment has not been confirmed by acting chief executive Sheryl Dawson, who said the franchise was still waiting to hear from Taurua.

However, Fairfax discovered Taurua was meeting players in Hamilton on Thursday.

A source confirmed the former Silver Fern had made her decision and "will be signing for next year".

The franchise has already started approaching players – most of whom have received at least one offer from other franchises already.

But, importantly for Magic, Taurua's signature means the bulk of the team are more likely to stay here.

Although often criticised for her tactics, Taurua has the backing of the players like no other.

That is the reason some of her more off-the-wall ideas have worked; the current squad have 100 per cent faith in her.

The four players who live out of the region – Irene van Dyk, Frances Solia, Jodi Brown and Peta Scholz – have all made it clear they would like to return.

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