Netball: World Cup squad may have surprises

Cathrine Latu may struggle to make the World Cup squad. Photo / Getty Images

Several long-standing Silver Ferns are in danger of missing out on the World Cup if they don't perform strongly at trials this week.

Waimarama Taumaunu will name her 12-strong squad for the Sydney tournament on Thursday following three days of trials in Auckland.

The Ferns coach and her fellow selectors have some tough calls ahead, with questions persisting over the form of a number of the team's veterans after a disappointing 2014 international season.

Having won the past nine meetings against New Zealand, it is clear the Diamonds have the wood over New Zealand who, with the exception of the retirement of shooter Irene van Dyk, have remained relatively settled in recent years.

Given Australia's dominance, Taumaunu said players can no longer rely on their reputations to get them picked.

"The field is open. We will pick the best team and it is up to players to front up and show they deserve to be part of that best team. If lessons from last season have not been learned, then there will be selection consequences.

"The idea of having trials is to test and check and see how people look on court against each other and that was something I regretted not doing before we went to Commonwealth Games."

The axe is hovering over midcourters Liana Leota and Joline Henry, both of whom are believed to be targeting the August World Cup as their international swansongs following the Central Pulse's poor season.

Mystics shooter Cathrine Latu is also under big pressure to deliver in the trials after an inconsistent season. The 28-year-old may have had the best accuracy rate in the league this season, but her volume has been well down on what is expected of a dominant shooter. However, Latu's track record against Australia defender Laura Geitz will be of most concern to the selectors.

The former Samoan international, who is yet to represent New Zealand at a World Cup, was comprehensively outplayed by the star defender in last year's Constellation Cup and is facing pressure to retain her spot from young, athletic talents Malia Paseka (Magic) and Bailey Mes (Tactix), who have the ability to play both shooting positions.

There is a strong sense Taumaunu must take some risks with her squad to have any chance of challenging Australia at the World Cup this year and give her Diamonds counterpart Lisa Alexander something else to think about.

But given their recent form, the Ferns' place in the final is by no means assured, and New Zealand must also have sound game plans to subdue England and Jamaica @mdash; two teams who have at times struggled with Latu's attacking trickery.