Netball: Rasmussen's long road back to the Ferns

Grace Rasmussen hopes she'll get a Ferns chance at the end of the year. Photo / Christine Cornege

Grace Rasmussen rejoins a Silver Ferns team this week in a vastly different place competitively than when she last featured in the line-up.

The Magic midcourter hasn't played for the Ferns since the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi, when the New Zealand side edged Australia in a famous double overtime victory. After four years on the outer, Rasmussen has forced her way back into the national team at a time they are searching for answers following a humbling 18-goal defeat at the hands of the Diamonds at the Glasgow Games two months ago.

Rasmussen is one of four changes to the Glasgow team for the four-test Constellation Cup series beginning in Invercargill on Thursday, and while she wasn't in the line-up for the tournament, she felt the loss just as keenly.

"It was just such a gutting result, it was really hard to watch. I really felt for the girls that were over there and I know we're all really motivated to make amends in this series," she said.

That humiliating defeat in Glasgow may just have helped Rasmussen back into the side. Silver Ferns coach Waimarama Taumaunu said ahead of the national trials earlier this month, losing to Australia by such a hefty margin had forced the selectors to think about making some significant changes to the line-up, and in particular, their mis-firing attack end.

One of the stand-outs for the Magic in the transtasman league this season, Rasmussen was a controversial omission from the Commonwealth Games squad, with the selectors instead plumping for returning mum Liana Leota and Steel youngster Shannon Francois in the middle. But the selectors could not ignore the form of Rasmussen at trials, with Taumaunu rating the 26-year-old's performances on level pegging with Leota and the ever-consistent Laura Langman.

"We were really meticulous in our collection of statistics in the midcourt [during trials] and Grace really stood out. Her possession rate, accuracy on the feed and foot-work were all right up there, so she really deserves her place," said Taumaunu.

After four years away from international netball, Rasmussen is thrilled to have finally earned her spot back in the New Zealand team for the upcoming series against Australia. A serious knee injury ruled her out of the 2011 World Cup in Singapore, while a niggly ankle injury prevented her return in 2012. More recently, it has been concerns over her form that saw her miss out on a spot in the Ferns.

But as one of New Zealand's top performing midcourters during the ANZ Championship, leading the competition in goal assists and second in centre pass receives, she seemed a certain starter for this year's Commonwealth Games. The selectors thought otherwise.

"I was really disappointed to miss out on Glasgow, but it definitely builds resilience and character and that's what I've taken from it," said Rasmussen.

While her teammates were in the UK, Rasmussen said she used the break to build her fitness base and keep on top of her conditioning in the hope she would get her chance in this week's Constellation Cup.

"I thought I was in a good space during the [ANZ Championship] season, so all I have really worked on in this break is staying sharp so if I got a chance to come back into the mix, I would be right up there with the rest of the girls."

It has been just over 12 months since the Silver Ferns and Diamonds last met in Invercargill in the opening match of the 2013 Constellation Cup, with the New Zealand side winning the encounter 55-51. They have not beaten Australia in their five matches since.

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Constellation Cup

Silver Ferns v Australia

Thursday -- Stadium Southland, Invercargill

October 8 -- Hisense Arena, Melbourne

October 11 -- Allphones Arena, Sydney

October 15 -- Trusts Stadium, Auckland