Noeline Taurua has called on three fresh faces to play Australia in the Constellation Cup. Photo / Photosport
Noeline Taurua has called on three fresh faces to play Australia in the Constellation Cup. Photo / Photosport
The Silver Ferns have made changes in all areas of the court as they prepare for the Constellation Cup.
Silver Ferns head coach Noeline Taurua has introduced three new players to the New Zealand side which went down by just five goals to the Australian Diamonds last month.
Maia Wilson, Sulu Fitzpatrick, and Erikana Pedersen - who were all initially named in the Silver Ferns Development Squad - have been rewarded for their performances in both this week's training camp and the recent ANZ Premiership season.
Maia Wilson has seven test caps for the Silver Ferns. Photo / Getty
The trio have been included for the four test series against the Australian Diamonds which tips off in Brisbane this Sunday.
Taurua said although the Ferns were focused on delivering quality netball during the Constellation Cup, she wanted to look at various combinations as they continue their build-up to next year's Netball World Cup in England.
"There are limited opportunities to see how our players perform against the best in the world, but we also have to be mindful that we want to build on the performances that the Silver Ferns have produced so far," Taurua said.
"We want to have a look at combinations and what those players bring to the mix."
Wilson, who has been in and out of the squad since her debut in 2016, replaces Ameliaranne Ekenasio in the shooting circle.
Well known for her accuracy and court craft in the circle, Wilson said she we relishing the opportunity to prove her worth again against the world's best defenders.
"I'm a strong target, I think that's the main thing for why I've been picked in here ... my job out there is to get out on the court, put the ball in the hoop and always be available," she said.
"[Australia] are a very physical bunch and I think that's part of what the game's turning into now and I think we've been prepping a lot in training to be able to hack it and take those balls with whatever pressure we've got on us."
Fitzpatrick, who gained her one test cap as a teenager back in 2011, will join Central Pulse team-mate and Ferns' vice-captain Katrina Grant in the defensive circle.
Taurua said she hoped that the duo's formidable style will better combat the towering Australian shooters.
Sulu Fitzpatrick will look to strengthen her combination with vice-captain Katrina Grant. Photo / Photosport
"With Sulu coming in we definitely have presence there now in the circle defence," Taurua said.
"She's a bigger-bodied person and she's got a lot of presence in the circle ... but she provides us something else in our defensive unit, and we're looking for someone to explore that a bit more against Australia."
Taurua has had her entire squad in camp this week, including defenders Kelly Jury and Casey Kopua who were both ruled out of the series as they continue their injury rehabilitation.
The two defenders are expected to return to the court for January's Quad Series.
The Constellation Cup moves to Townsville this week before heading to Hamilton on October 14 and Wellington on October 18.
Silver Ferns side to play in Constellation Cup: Gina Crampton, Aliyah Dunn, Sulu Fitzpatrick, Maria Folau, Katrina Grant, Laura Langman (captain), Erikana Pedersen, Te Paea Selby-Rickit, Sam Sinclair, Michaela Sokolich-Beatson, Jane Watson, Maia Wilson.
