A focus on fitness has seen Mystics star Grace Nweke rewarded with a shot at playing her first test in the black dress.
The 19-year-old was named as part of Dame Noeline Taurua's Silver Ferns squad yesterday, following a standout ANZ Premiership season where she helped lead theMystics to their first Premiership title.
Nweke topped the shooting stats across the league this season with 852 shots from 951 attempts, shooting at 90 per cent accuracy.
But after playing three games for the Ferns against the NZ Men, NZ A and NZ Under-21 teams last year, a key improvement has now seen Nweke earn the chance to make her international debut.
"The fitness has been a massive one for me," she explained. "I know that's what's required and you have to be capable of performing so that's something I've been working towards all season to make sure I was ready to go."
Taurua is well-known for her strict fitness standard and has kept it a deciding factor when selecting players.
Grace Nweke takes a shot during the ANZ Premiership final. Photo / Photosport
After having to look past the teen in earlier international campaigns, the World Cup-winning coach commended Nweke's dedication this year.
"When it came to the fitness criteria [in the past], she barely made it and she's in and she's out, we select her and don't select her... [but] I think we will all agree physically, she is a beast," Taurua said.
"She's done a lot of work in the fitness area, her body strength has amazing, her technique on her shot has settled, and consistently she's producing probably 40 to 50 shots every game plus also taking the ball under huge stress and it was fantastic from my eyes.
"I just can't wait to see her out there hopefully playing against the Aussies, against England and I think she's going to be fabulous for us for years to come."
Dame Noeline Taurua. Photo / Photosport
Nweke will look to make her test debut in October when the Ferns play the annual Constellation Cup against Australia.
She said she was most looking forward to testing her skills against some of the best defenders in the world.
"I watched the Constellation Cup last time around and watching Maia [Wilson] go up against Courtney Bruce was just intense and I think she would be a good measure of my ability," Nweke said.
"I'm a little bit nervous but excited by the opportunity if it presents itself."
Silver Ferns squad
Shooters
Ameliaranne Ekenasio (maternity leave) *Jamie Hume *Tiana Metuarau *Grace Nweke Te Paea Selby-Rickit Maia Wilson
Silver Ferns goal shoot Grace Nweke speaks about the Constellation Cup series and the rivalry against the Diamonds in the final match. Video / Alyse Wright
