Netball: Latu earns Ferns provisional call-up

Cathrine Latu in action for the Mystics. Photo / Getty Images

Former Samoan international Cathrine Latu was today named in the 12-strong Silver Ferns netball squad for the world championships in Singapore in July.

But Latu's inclusion is subject to a Netball New Zealand (NNZ) appeal to the International Court of Arbitration for Sport.

The International Federation of Netball Associations (IFNA) has previously ruled that the Auckland-born player is not eligible to play for her country of birth until after the world championships.

Latu played for Samoa at the 2007 world championships in Auckland, and under current international netball rules must serve a four-year stand down.

However, NNZ maintains a precedent was set when IFNA allowed former Silver Ferns defender Vilimaina Davu to play for Fiji at the 2007 world championships, a year after she represented New Zealand.

NNZ has appealed to the International Court of Arbitration for Sport for a ruling in the matter, but a date for the hearing has not yet been set.

Joining Latu in the shooting component of the squad are incumbents Irene van Dyk and Maria Tutaia, with Paula Griffin earning a call-up in place of Southern Steel teammate Daneka Wipiiti for the fourth shooter's spot.

Grace Rasmussen, part of the squad which lifted gold from at the New Delhi Commonwealth Games in October last year, badly injured her knee in last night's Mystics-Swifts trans-Tasman netball league match.

But her consistency and form to date had probably not been strong enough to warrant inclusion as a shooter, with the majority of her court time for the Mystics spent at wing attack.

Griffin, who took a year's sabbatical from international netball last year, has been in superb form for the Steel this season, showing consistent accuracy and excellent circle movement at both goal attack and goal shoot.

The Silver Ferns defensive quartet provided no surprises, with the in-form Commonwealth Games combination of captain Casey Williams, Anna Scarlett, Katrina Grant and Leana de Bruin again given the nod.

Scarlett, who can provide real impact at wing defence as well as superb anticipation and elevation in the circle, has been outstanding for the Mystics, while Williams' consistency, leadership and sheer grit make her a formidable opponent at goal keep or goal defence.

De Bruin, who has 44 caps for New Zealand and 34 for South Africa, has been using her height and reactions to devastating effect in the trans-Tasman league for the Steel.

Grant had a slow start to the season for the Central Pulse, but has come into her own in recent games and shown real strength in hunting the ball and forcing turnovers.

In the midcourt, the vastly experienced Temepara George, part of New Zealand's world championship winning team in 2003, and Liana Leota will provide plenty of pace and flair to complement the vision of the irreplaceable Laura Langman.

Langman is a pivotal player for the Silver Ferns, with the ability to shine at wing attack, centre or wing defence, and has played in every test for New Zealand since her debut in 2005.

Mystics' utility Joline Henry has struggled lately with an ankle injury, but her versatility and recent track record at wing defence make her invaluable at full fitness. Her inclusion is subject to medical clearance.

The Silver Ferns team is:
Leana de Bruin (Steel)
Temepara George (vice-captain) (Mystics)
Katrina Grant (Pulse)
Paula Griffin (Steel)
Joline Henry - subject to medical clearance (Mystics)
Laura Langman (Magic)
Liana Leota (Steel)
Cathrine Latu **subject to eligibility being approved by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (Mystics)
Anna Scarlett (Mystics)
Maria Tutaia (Mystics)
Irene van Dyk (Magic)
Casey Williams (captain) (Magic)

- NZPA