Gabi Simpson in action, 2017 Constellation Cup, Silver Ferns v Australian Diamonds. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
The Pulse have recruited a former Australian Diamond ahead of the ANZ Premiership, with Silver Ferns Maddy Gordon and Whitney Souness not ready to take the court for the opening rounds.
Gabi Simpson has been signed as a temporary replacement player, while the Silver Ferns midcourt duo work their way back to full fitness.
Gordon suffered a knee injury during a pre-season match against the Mystics last month while Souness has been rehabbing after undergoing ankle surgery prior to Christmas.
Last year Te Wānanga o Raukawa Pulse had a wretched run of injuries. At one point all three front-line shooters - Khiarna Williams, Tiana Metuarau and Amelia Walmsley were sidelined. Gordon was also ruled out last year for a significant chunk of the season due to injury.
Despite that the Pulse still made the grand final, only to lose by one goal to the Mystics.
Simpson has not played elite netball since 2023. The 32-year-old's last season in Australia's Suncorp Super Netball competition was in 2023, with the Queensland Firebirds not offering her a contract for the 2024 domestic competition.
But with the season being cut from three rounds to two, there is added pressure to get results from next weekend's first round.
Netball Central Director of High Performance Waimarama Taumaunu said they felt an experienced player was needed.
"There is no time to grow another player and while we're grateful to the NNL (National Netball League) players who have stepped in [during pre-season], none have done a full NNL season themselves and we needed some experience,'' Taumaunu said.
The franchise said there was a wide search, including New Zealand-based players, before landing on Simpson, who will train with the Pulse for the first time today and be available for their Round 1 match against the Magic in Palmerston North on May 10.
The Pulse have already been forced to draft Magic training partner and former Silver Fern Amorangi Malesala as a temporary replacement for Williams, who is out for several weeks with a shoulder injury.
The Pulse are optimistic that the Silver Ferns midcourt duo will be back in action early in the Premiership and believe Simpson will provide stability in the interim.
The third most capped player for the Queensland Firebirds with 157 appearances during an 11-year national league career, Simpson also played 41 tests for the Diamonds during which she assumed the vice-captaincy.
