KEY POINTS:
Former Silver Fern Vilimaina Davu today expressed disappointment at the length of time it took Netball New Zealand (NNZ) to clear her to play in the new ANZ Championship.
Davu, 31, was told on Tuesday that she could link up with the Auckland-based Northern Mystics, just 2-1/2 weeks before the opening round of the trans-Tasman competition.
The rugged defender's participation had been in doubt because of questions over her form, based on her performances as Fiji's player/coach in the world championships in Auckland last November.
NNZ cleared Davu, who has been on a four-month training programme, after reassessing her this week.
However, the goal keep believed her 58 caps for New Zealand between 2000 and 2006 should have been proof enough that she would not be out of place in the tournament.
"I have to say I was a bit disappointed it took that long for it to be approved for me to be part of the Mystics and at them commenting on my performance at the world championships," she said.
"I was in service for New Zealand for six years and to take just that performance and to comment on that in regards to making the team was a bit disappointing.
"But hey, I've been waiting for that long, so it's great to be part of the team."
Davu missed this month's pre-season tournament in Sydney and admitted that she wasn't yet match-fit.
"But that will come," she said. "It's not going to take long for me to be back on court and performing at 120 percent."
Coach Yvonne Willering said Davu's integration at training this week had gone without a hitch.
"The announcement was made and within five minutes the players were saying, 'It looks like you've been here all the time'," she said.
"She has slotted in that easy."
Willering said the uncertainty over Davu had not proved a distraction in the Mystics' building to the championship.
What Davu's earlier unavailability had done was give other players time on court.
"Obviously I've coached Vili in the past," Willering said of the pair's collaboration at test and National Bank Cup level. "I know her play well and she knows what the expectations are, so I couldn't see any problems."
The Mystics' application to select Davu was refused in January on the grounds that she would block the pathway of a quality defender with New Zealand citizenship.
Another regulation required that any dispensation given should enhanced the strength of a team or enhanced the championship.
The Mystics lodged an appeal over Davu's exclusion, arguing that it should be up to the coaches to pick their teams.
- NZPA
