Claire Kersten is back in the Silver Ferns after all but writing off her chances of wearing the black dress again.
Photo: Photosport Ltd 2020
The mid-courter played 36 minutes off the bench in New Zealand's 58-45 first test win over England in Hamilton on Wednesday.
It was her first appearance for the Ferns since the 2018 Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast, having been overlooked by Dame Noeline Taurua since she took over as coach.
Kersten concedes she doubted whether she would get back in the national squad.
"You know a year or so ago if I'm being really honest this probably might not have been on my radar," Kersten said.
"I still wanted to be playing netball but I had been out of the environment for a wee while...so it's massive for me."
At 31, Kersten is the oldest player in the Ferns' 12-strong team playing England and believes she has benefitted from "a slightly different perspective".
"My focus has really been around enjoying being at the Pulse this year and I think that's actually has been a bit of a factor in maybe why I'm here now.
"I haven't been in this environment for a wee while so my real focus for this year was just around having a great year with Pulse and really enjoying being in that environment. So I kind of feel like all of this is a bit of a bonus."
Photo: Photosport Ltd 2020
Kersten also has a new role in the Ferns.
She is vying with Sam Winders for the wing defence berth, with Taurua wanting them to bring their doggedness to the position.
"Very much trying to grind the wing attacks down and just always be a presence," Kersten said.
Winders got the WD bib at the start of the first test with Kersten replacing Shannon Saunders at centre midway through the second quarter.
She is enjoying the challenge of re-learning wing defence.
"I've spent the last few years in centre so there's been a bit of reminding going on around just tweaking some things in my defensive game.
"Just making sure I'm really clear on the structures that we've got because it's a really different approach to what I'm used to in the Pulse group."
With Karin Burger leaving the Pulse, Claire Kersten may be moving to WD for the ANZ Premiership too.
The second test between the Silver Ferns and England is in Hamilton tonight.
RNZ will bring you live blog of the test here.
