Netball: Wells only change for Silver Ferns

Ameliaranne Wells. Photo / Greg Bowker

Ameliaranne Wells has snapped up the vacant spot in the Silver Ferns shooting circle for this month's four-test Constellation Cup series against Australia.

The Australian-born Central Pulse shooter is the only change to the New Zealand team that contested the Netball World Cup in Sydney, replacing star goal attack Maria Tutaia, who is taking a break from the game.

Wells, who grew up in Queensland but has a Kiwi father, made her debut for the Ferns in last year's Constellation Cup after a shock call-up to the New Zealand side. At the time she was a bench player for the Firebirds in the ANZ Championship, but with the Ferns' shooting stocks running low in recent years, the New Zealand selectors opted to invite Wells to trials ahead of her move to the Pulse this season.

She performed so well at trials, she was elevated straight to the test line-up, going on to play three tests for the Ferns last year.

The selection of Wells means there is no room for Mystics shooter Cathrine Latu, who was bidding for a Silver Ferns' recall following her shock omission from the World Cup line-up.

Silver Ferns coach Waimarama Taumaunu has been impressed with the work Latu has put in over the past couple of months since the disappointment of missing out on the Sydney tournament, but she said Wells' ability to play goal attack and shoot accurately from range make her the ideal replacement for Tutaia.

"Ameliaranne is strong on the shot, has good movement around the circle and provides a long range shooting game that complements our other shooters," Taumaunu said.

"As a team, it is important we continue to play courageous netball. We made some big improvements over the World Cup and we need to ensure that we continue to build on the platform we've set."

The four-test series will be the first time fans can see the Silver Ferns and Diamonds in action since the World Cup final, which Australia won 58-55.

It will also be the last series at the helm for Silver Ferns coach Waimarama Taumaunu after announcing last month she would not seek reappointment to the top job.

The Silver Ferns will host the first two matches in Christchurch (October 20) and Auckland (October 22), before they cross the Tasman for the final matches in Melbourne (October 25) and Perth (October 30).

Silver Ferns team:
Jodi Brown, Kayla Cullen, Leana de Bruin, Shannon Francois, Katrina Grant, Phoenix Karaka, Casey Kopua, Laura Langman, Bailey Mes, Malia Paseka, Grace Rasmussen, Ameliaranne Wells