Netball: Silver Ferns chosen early

Paula Griffin has big tournament experience. Photo / Getty Images

Ruth Aitken acknowledges the risk but denies the early selection of her Silver Ferns world championship squad is a gamble.

The team for the July showdown in Singapore will be announced on Tuesday, the best part of five weeks before the end of the ANZ Championship season.

It is certainly a different approach. It is hard to imagine an All Blacks squad being named weeks before the end of a Super Rugby campaign, or the Kiwis being picked on the eve of an NRL finals series.

"I appreciate it seems weird to some," admits Aitken, "but for us it is about changing the mindset from selecting a team to building a side. There will be those who play well in the next few weeks but the dates have been out for a long time so it is fair for everyone."

When asked to justify the decision, Aitken talks of the team culture and getting player input and commitment into common goals.

"Maybe it is a female thing - but our players find it hard to commit heart and soul until they actually know it is happening. It is about time to get themselves and their families sorted, while also giving us the chance to bring the group together and have them thinking about their higher goal during the last four weeks or so of the ANZ Championship."

The obvious downside will be managing the disappointment of those who miss out; to ensure lost national dreams do not affect their performances for their franchise. Diamonds coach Norma Plummer takes the opposite approach - leaving the final cut until the latest possible moment - as she wants to see how her prospective players perform during the pressure of the playoffs.

While most of Aitken's selections will be straightforward enough, there are certain to be some changes from the squad that found late glory in Delhi. The defensive quartet pick themselves, as do the midcourt trio of Laura Langman, Temepara George and Joline Henry - though if selected, the injury-plagued Henry will be closely monitored.

Last year's ANZ Championship MVP Liana Leota has struggled in a misfiring Steel outfit, her difficulties compounded by the burden of captaincy. But she is a proven international performer with irreplaceable flair, and would-be replacement Camilla Lees may not have done enough to displace her.

The issues and selectorial headaches arise in the attacking circle. Who will back up Irene van Dyk and Maria Tutaia?

Incumbent Daneka Wipiiti has had a forgettable season with the Steel, while Cathrine Latu has been formidable for the Mystics (currently shooting at 92 per cent - the most accurate in the league). Given Netball New Zealand's bitter fight for her right to represent the Ferns, she is almost certain to be chosen, with an asterisk beside her name until eligibility status is finally resolved.

Contenders for back-up goal attack seem to be Paula Griffin, Anna Thompson, Juliana Naoupu and incumbent Grace Rasmussen. Naoupu sparkled at the start of the year for the Magic but has faded recently, and her performance under pressure last week against the Swifts may have signalled she is not ready - yet.

Rasmussen, a surprise choice last year, was groomed for goal attack in the national colours but has spent the whole season playing wing attack for the Mystics.

"It is challenging for her," admits Aitken. "Last year, we had a lot of time in camp between selection and Commonwealth Games. This year, it is more tricky."

Thompson is another difficult case. She has some experience and is probably the most creative of the contenders but has found solid form hard to come by in 2011.

"She has had some good passages but then goes missing for a while," says Aitken.

Griffin is back in the fold after a break and has raised her game in the last few weeks.

The 1.85m attacker underlined her versatility by successfully playing goal shoot for the Steel recently.

It all depends on the balance the Ferns desire. Whether it is a wing attack who can play in the circle (Rasmussen), a natural attacker who can feed (Thompson) or the player that can probably cover both circle positions best and has the most secure shot (Griffin).

Perhaps Griffin will get the nod. One comment from Aitken seemed to reveal her preference for the Steel shooter.

"One of the most important indicators for success at pinnacle events like world championships is having had experience at that level before. That gives athletes a huge advantage in terms of success."

Griffin played as a 19-year-old at the 2007 tournament in Waitakere.

POSSIBLE FERNS SQUAD

Casey Williams (c), Anna Scarlett, Katrina Grant, Leana de Bruin; Laura Langman, Temepara George, Joline Henry, Liana Leota; Irene van Dyk, Maria Tutaia, Cathrine Latu, Paula Griffin.