Joline Henry's relieved name was called

Joline Henry says she always gets nervous before team namings, but yesterday's Silver Ferns announcement was far worse than normal.

Henry was one of 12 players Ruth Aitken selected in the Silver Fern netball squad for tests against Samoa, Jamaica, Australia and ultimately the Commonwealth Games.

But after trialling "completely out of position" at centre this week, Henry admitted to being extra relieved when she was called yesterday morning about her selection.

"To be honest, I was a bit worried, a bit more nervous," the 40-test veteran said.

"You know that if you're name isn't called, all that work, all that preparation means nothing."

She said after asking defensive coach Waimarama Taumaunu if she'd made a mistake when she saw her name down to trial at centre and "she just turned to me and said `yes' with her eyes".

"I know I have the skills to do it and eventually I got the hang of it."

Henry calls herself "the back-up to the back-up", but in reality could be a viable option with her comparative height seen as an advantage over Temepara George, Laura Langman and Liana Barrett-Chase.

Those three are almost assured of the starting spots in the big games, but height can be a necessity against Australia.

Henry wants to play at wing defence and has made no secrets about that fact.

"I was hoping to play more there at the trials, I played four quarters there.

"In ANZ [Championship] I only played there for two and a half quarters so I wanted to do more of it.

"That's where I see myself, as a wing defence and I want Wai [assistant coach Waimarama Taumaunu] to coach me there."

But Henry said when push came to shove, she'd cut the oranges if it meant she could be part of the Silver Ferns this year.

"The Commonwealth Games are huge, they're the pinnacle for sports people, them and the world champs.

"It's going to be very, very exciting."

While the Silver Ferns are expected to waltz through pool play.

They will meet England, Papua New Guinea, Cook Islands, South Africa and Barbados in pool play but Henry said the results might not be quite what people predicted.

"I know people expect us to win some games at these tournaments by 100 goals, but in reality, it's not like that anymore," she said.

"You just have to look at Fastnet last year and how well Malawi did."

Henry said the minnow sides had become markedly better, which was obviously a strong sign for international netball.

Silver Ferns: Liana Barrett-Chase, Leana de Bruin, Temepara George (vc), Katrina Grant, Joline Henry, Laura Langman, Grace Rasmussen, Anna Scarlett, Maria Tutaia, Irene van Dyk, Casey Williams (c), Daneka Wipiiti.

- © Fairfax NZ News