New Zealand's preparations for July's world championships hit a three-pronged snag as they gathered in Auckland for their first camp of the year.
The Silver Ferns were without three of the 17 players named to attend.
Anna Veronese, Temepara Clark and Daneka Wipiiti were no-shows, and the world championships ambitions of Veronese at least are at an end.
Veronese, the Southern Sting defender, is pregnant and will join former captain Julie Seymour on the sidelines for that reason while the world's elite play in Jamaica.
Coach Ruth Aitken yesterday revealed a novel idea to prevent any more of her players falling to the same fate.
"We might put them all in a nunnery," she said.
The international future of Northern Force shooter Wipiiti must also be in serious doubt after she pulled out of her second national squad camp in succession.
She quit a camp in late October, citing the need for time out, and only told Aitken on Wednesday that she was not ready for a comeback.
"We will look to meet her next week to see what the big picture is," Aitken said.
Clark, the speedy Northern Force midcourter, is missing the camp because of work commitments.
Aitken confirmed Veronese was now definitely out of world championship contention, but she added that the other two still had some time on their side.
Expect none of the three to be named on Tuesday in the Silver Ferns team to tour Britain next month.
The coach has called up Waikato's Jolene Henry, Canterbury Flames' Rachel Rasmussen and Maree Grubb, and Northern Force player Angelina Yates to the squad, and was certainly putting on a positive face yesterday.
"The feeling in the group that's arrived is outstanding.
"I think they'll do great things," she said.
However, after the retirements last year of Bernice Mene, Linda Vagana and Belinda Charteris, the defensive options for Aitken are narrowing in the wake of Veronese's withdrawal.
The specialists left in the team are Leana du Plooy, Vilimaina Davu and up-and-comer Anna Scarlett.
Another high-profile player missing is Donna Loffhagen, the experienced shooter who is taking time out from the sport.
On Wednesday the squad worked closely on its circle defence.
There was fitness testing yesterday, and squad matches are scheduled for today and tomorrow.
- NZPA
Netball: Training camp runs into snag
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