10.30am

Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic defender Leana du Plooy is the newcomer in the Silver Ferns netball side to tour the United Kingdom next month.

Du Plooy takes the place of Anna Veronese, who withdrew from the New Zealand squad because she was pregnant.

Coach Ruth Aitken said du Plooy would add height to the defensive end of the team, matching that of her former South African and now Magic team member Irene van Dyk at the shooting end.

"Leana has all the attributes of top-notch defender combining the height and agility with quick hands and feet," Aitken said.

Du Plooy has been in New Zealand since 2001. She played for the Southern Sting and then switched to the Capital Shakers in 2002. The 25-year-old won a place in the New Zealand side after an outstanding 2002 Smokefree Champs playing for Wellington.

Du Plooy said she relished the opportunity to be in the side.

"Making it into the team was always my ultimate goal and it's a dream come true to become a Silver Fern. I am very proud to represent New Zealand," she said.

Another feature of the side is Adine Harper's inclusion in the shooting line-up for the tour, which includes tests against Wales and England.

Anna Rowberry will captain the touring side.

Defender Joline Henry, who was called into the recent NZ training camp, has also been promoted from the New Zealand Academy squad to the larger NZ squad.

The team is: Irene van Dyk, Belinda Colling, Angela Mitchell (nee Evans), Adine Harper, Anna Rowberry, Jenny-May Coffin, Victoria Edward, Lesley Nicol, Leana Du Plooy, Sheryl Clarke, Anna Scarlett, Vilimaina Davu.

- NZPA