Analysis: The countdown is on ahead of the Netball Quad Series next month and without a coach selectors have given the team the best start possible.
2018/2019 Silver Ferns squad Photo: Photosport Ltd 2018 www.photosport.nz
Franchise combinations were obviously the focus in yesterday's 12-woman squad announced to tackle the upcoming Netball Quad series with the exception of Laura Langman.
While 17 players were named in total, 12 made the cut for the first international series since the Commonwealth Games. Of the 12 only three defenders were named, four staple shooters and for the first time in a long time five midcourters including Langman.
A third of the squad are made up of Pulse players with the remaining clubs contributing two or less. The Stars feature no players with the omission of former Silver Ferns midcourter Grace Kara.
The midcourt has traditionally been a concern for the Ferns so the naming of uncapped Mystics middy Elisapeta Toeava is a refreshing one after a season of displaying some of the best court-craft on offer.
Northern Mystics midcourter Elisapeta Toeava in action during the 2018 ANZ Premiership Photo: © Photosport Ltd 2017 www.photosport.nz
The combination with both Maria Folau and Bailey Mes was second to none and despite copping criticism for being the shortest player of any side her inclusion has given hope that common sense, not favourites, has prevailed here.
Three debutants will feature in Toeava, Karin Burger and Aliyah Dunn.
While Dunn has a sound understanding with fellow shooter Ameliaranne Ekenasio who travels on court a lot like Folau, Burger teams up with an experienced midcourt if fielded with Langman and Steel's Gina Crampton.
With style reminiscent of former wing defence Kayla Cullen this could be a familiar boost for Magic's Sam Sinclair as well. Behind her is captain Katrina Grant who together proved that Burger's work in front help set up a lot of Grant's success in the Pulse's backline.
To say Grant will have Burger's back in the starting line-up though is another story with the inclusion of arguably the most successful defending duo in ANZ Premiership history in the Tactix' Jane Watson and Temalisi Fakahokotau.
But as the recent Netball New Zealand review determined experience at every level is what the side needs most.
After being out for two years Langman slips back into the black dress as the most capped player on the roster. Thirteen years ago Langman debuted against England, and if she gets the start on September 15th, will make her comeback against them as well.
On March 12th 2005 Langman and the Silver Ferns defeated the England Roses 52 to 30 in Auckland - in fact it was a three test series clean sweep under then coach Ruth Aiken.
Now a selector, Aiken and her team have done what former coach Janine Southby couldn't by giving the Silver Ferns a functioning facelift while reinstalling belief that this could pull off.
Coach Noeline Taurua has always kept an eye on veteran Laura Langman Photo: PHOTOSPORT www.photosport.co.nz
But can the selectors take full credit and did the potential coach have anything to do with this? One coach springs to mind in the past recruitments of Langman and some would argue that a selection like this warrants the thought.
"If that was to be the end (at Sunshine Coast Lightning) or is to be the end who knows," says Langman.
"It was really cool to go full circle having started my career with Noels and to finish on a high was the cherry on top."
"I have always been a massive fan of Noeline's and I really feel she brings out the best in me as a player and as a person,"
There are officially 30 days left until game one of the Netball Quad Series with a coach expected to be announced by September 10th.
- RNZ
