15 Dec 2018

Netball: Former Silver Ferns captain dropped

1:40 pm on 15 December 2018

The former Silver Ferns captain Katrina Rore (nee Grant) has been dropped from the New Zealand netball side.

Rore, who was replaced as captain when Noeline Taurua took over as coach earlier this year, hasn't been selected in the 12 strong squad for the Quad series against Australia, England and South Africa in Liverpool in the New Year.

She was replaced as captain by Laura Langman, but Langman hasn't been appointed captain for the Quad series with the players to vote on who will lead the side later.

Rore, who's 31, has been a regular in the Silver Ferns since making her debut as 21-year-old in 2008 and last year became the seventh Silver Ferns to register 100 international appearances.

Katrina Grant has been Silver Ferns captain for the past two years.

Katrina Rore played her first test in 2008. Photo: Photosport

She has played 125 tests in total.

The others dropped from Constellation Cup squad are shooters Te Paea Selby-Rickit and Aliyah Dunn and defender Sulu Fitzpatrick.

Another former captain 33 year old Casey Kopua is set to play her first game for the side in three years.

She was included in the Constellation Cup squad earlier this year but hadn't sufficiently recovered from injury to play.

There are two newcomers in the squad mid-courter Kimiora Poi, 20, and defender Erena Mikaere, 30, who has played under Taurua at the Sunshine Coast Lightning.

Kimiora Poi during the Fast5 Netball world series match between New Zealand Silver Ferns and England 2018.

Kimiora Poi. Photo: PHOTOSPORT

Taurua concedes picking the squad was tough.

"They have been put under the pump physically, mentally and emotionally," she said.

"We needed to set the standard with what's required within the team - I've been inspired by the intent and focus out on court."

Taurua said with the step up in intensity, her job of selecting had become more difficult particularly through the mid-court and defensive ends which hold plenty of promise.

"I liked the quality that was out there and that people certainly weren't taking their position for granted. Our strength is the collective. Everybody has contributed to the final 12 and because of that the door will remain open for everybody going into the ANZ Premiership.

"This mid-court is an area we are continuing to develop and we felt that we needed to strengthen those combinations," Taurua said.

"We felt that both Kimiora and Whitney (Souness) bring something different to the centre and wing attack positions - they bring a new set of skills to the role, are extremely fit and also show a confidence for such young athletes."

"Erena obviously brings height to our defensive circle and her experience of playing against the Australian style for a number of years," Taurua said.

She said it was now crucial for players to step up and take responsibility for their roles on court with a Netball World Cup looming.

"If people don't do their own job then it impacts on somebody else, and that shows when we play on court.

"I think there's been improvement overall and a better understanding of what is expected and our ability to put that out on court."

But she also confirmed that the door remained opened for those still pushing to be part of the Silver Ferns Netball World Cup campaign.

"We can't afford to close shop - we've got to keep everyone in the mix," she said.

"I'm not putting a line through anybody. We need everybody onboard to raise the standard and to create that internal competition."

Fellow defenders Kelly Jury and Temalisi Fakahokotau were not considered as they continue their rehabilitation from injury.

Silver Ferns team:

Shooters - Ameliaranne Ekenasio, Maria Folau, Maia Wilson

Mid-court - Gina Crampton, Laura Langman, Kimiora Poi, Sam Sinclair, Whitney Souness

Defenders - Karin Burger, Casey Kopua, Erena Mikaere, Jane Watson

Silver Ferns schedule:

versus England Roses, January 13, 2019 at Echo Arena in Liverpool

versus Australian Diamonds, January 19, 2019 at Copper Box Arena in London

versus South Africa Proteas, January 20 at Copper Box Arena in London