Race for Silver Ferns squad at Netball World Cup heats up

Eight months out of the Netball World Cup, the Silver Ferns have a crisis in their shooting end.

New coach Noeline Taurua at Liverpool, England.

The 3-1 Constellation Cup series loss to Australia, and Thursday's 58-47 defeat in Wellington, where the Ferns shooters landed just 72 percent (47 goals from 65 attempts), exposed to raft of shortcomings.

Aside from veteran Maria Folau, who lost the way in the series defeated 88 per cent (125/142), there was poor accuracy and inconsistent play. Who will partner Folau in the Ferns' strongest shooting combination at the World Cup is anyone's guess.

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Depending on the make-up of the squad, it could be a vacation for three shooters, a midcourter and defender, to force their way into seven players effectively locked in.

Laura Langman, Folau, Sam Sinclair, Gina Crampton, Jane Watson, Katrina Grant, and Casey Kopua are virtual guarantees.

With strong options at center and wing defense, the Ferns may go with a back-up wing attack for their final midcourt berth. The race for the fourth circle will be closed with several players in contention.

The national premiership, which starts earlier on February 24 because of the World Cup, will be pivotal in the determination of the players in the world.

Only two series remain for the Ferns before their opening World Cup game against Malawi on July 12th – January's Northern Quad Series and June's Taini Jamison Trophy against yet to be confirmed opposition, which could feature Pacific Island nations.

SHOOTERS

Shooting remains the most glaring issue confronting Taurua with time.

Folau, who is expected to bow out after the World Cup, is a certainty for a fourth straight tournament.

Traditionally a goal attack, she became Taurua's favorite starter at goal shoot and was outstanding in last Sunday's win over Australia in Hamilton, slotting 40/41.

Te Paea Selby-Rickit, started in three of the tests against Australia, but landed a concerning 47 goals from 67 attempts (70 per cent) in the series and was well below her best. There will probably be a place in the World Cup, given the experience, ability to cover both shooting roles, and lack of alternatives.

Young goal shoots Aliyah Dunn, who was a standout for the Pulse, and Maia Wilson, had a small amount of short time against the Australians, but neither hammered the selection door down.

Tactix goal shoot Ellie Bird, whose 1.96m height offers a point of difference, Monica Falkner, and possibly Tiana Metuarau, could be names in the premiership, but all are uncapped at international level.

Ameliaranne Ekenasio, who had a forgettable performance against England, and 63-cap veteran Bailey Mes, are on the outer. My would need to put up some accurate numbers for the Mystics or concentrate on the World Cup picture.

midcourt

Langman picks herself, while Sinclair and first-choice wing attack Crampton have the inside running to wait for their first World Cup. That leaves a stack of midcourters jostling for one place in the squad.

With Langman and Sinclair, Claire Kersten and Karin Burger, and the unwanted Shannon Francois.

Erikana Pedersen, Elisapeta Toeava and Whitney Souness.

Tactix young-gun Kimiora Poi, mainly a center, could have a bolter, if she backs up her strong play from 2018. Poi is among the fittest netballers in the country with a personal best yo-yo test score of 19.7. She could be used as a center-wing attack with Langman, Sinclair and Grant, able to cover wing defense.

Injury-plagued Kayla Cullen is targeting a return to the Northern Stars after surgery on her left knee in April. Cullen, who has played 47 tests since 2011, has struggled to stay on the run in recent years and would need a stellar campaign with the Stars to fight her way into contention.

Experienced wing attack Grace Kara, who was not selected in the 2018-19 Ferns squad or national development squad, is expecting her first child in April and will not play for the Stars in 2019.

DEFENSE

Grant, Kopua, and Watson, who was a revelation at goal keep in the Quad Series and Constellation Cup, should all be in Liverpool.

New Zealand under-21 World Cup title-winning skipper Michaela Sokolich-Beatson, who can play wing defense and goal defense, has yet to make an impact consistently at international level and is far from a definite in the squad.

Temalisi Fakahokotau would have been starting the game for the Quad Series and Constellation Cup, but was struck down by anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) at Ferns training. Fakahokotau has undergone knee surgery, but the World Cup has an unrealistic turnaround for her recovery, weakening the Ferns defensively.

Kelly Jury, who is on track for the Silver Ferns training camp and the Northern Quad Series after a dislocated shoulder, needs to regain the kind of play she showed in the 2017 Quad Series win over Australia in Invercargill. Jury will be ahead of Sulu Fitzpatrick, Holly Fowler, and Phoenix Karaka in the pecking order.

Erena Mikaere has returned to New Zealand to play for the Mystics and is a potential wildcard. The 30-year-old possesses a physical presence, rebounding, and is much needed at 1.93m. Taurua knows what Mikaere is capable of, working with the Waikato-Bay of Plenty Magic and teaming up to win back-to-back titles with the Sunshine Coast Lightning in Australia.