Silver Ferns captain Julie Seymour virtually brought her international career to an end yesterday when she withdrew from the national squad after announcing she is expecting her second child.
The experienced Seymour, second behind only Lesley Nicol in numbers of test caps among the present players with 75, was expected to play a prominent role in the build-up to July's world championships in Jamaica.
The Silver Ferns have a brief two-test campaign against South Africa early next month before beginning their quest in earnest next year.
"There's a part of me that would have liked to have played through to the world champs, but in the end my motherly instincts were just bigger and far outweighed all that," Seymour said.
Seymour, 31, who made her test debut in 1994, and husband Dallas, a long-time New Zealand rugby sevens representative, became parents in February last year.
A strong defensive centre with the ability to carry a big workload, Seymour has blossomed in the latter stages of her career.
She was elevated to the captaincy this year, revelling in the extra responsibility when Ruth Aitken took over the coaching reins.
Aitken said losing Seymour was a big blow.
- NZPA
Netball: Baby has priority
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