The former Silver Ferns netball international Sulu Tone-Fitzpatrick will make her debut in an all-new sporting arena today.
The 23 year old is a part of the Samoan team competing in the New Zealand Women's Sevens Series event in Taupo over the next three days.
Tone-Fitzpatrick made her international netball debut for New Zealand against England in 2011.
Sulu Tone-Fitzpatrick (on her Silver Ferns in 2011) is now trying her hand at sevens rugby with Samoa. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Manusina Sevens coach Ramsey Tomokino expects the 1.87m Northern Mystics defender will prove an attacking force in the seven-a-side game.
"She's the sister of Auckland Storm centre Theresa Fitzpatrick. She's probably about six foot three I think and can run so it's going to be a couple of defenders needed to take her down. She was in the Silver Ferns and then she had twins and [now she's] having a crack at the sevens, so we will see her this weekend in Taupo. We're just trying to shape a competitive squad: we've just got to really develop the women's game and have a system and process in place that women based in New Zealand, Australia and in Samoa can say we want to play for Manusina".
Samoa are using this weekends event as preparation for next months Olympic sevens qualifying tournament in Auckland.
Interim Samoa women's sevens coach Ramsey Tomokino issues instructions during training. Photo: Twitter / Manusina_SWR
