Belinda Colling's withdrawal from the Silver Ferns could be Bay of Plenty player Tanya Lund's big chance at national netball honours.
The Sydney-born Waikato Bay of Plenty shooter, recruited from Australia for this year's National Bank Cup and now domiciled in Tauranga, is considered a prime candidate to
replace Colling, who has confirmed she is expecting her second child.
Colling has withdrawn from the three-test series against Australia in October and Lund, after an impressive National Bank Cup series with Magic, who took their second successive title, has a real shot. She may have the jump on other contenders, having already established a partnership with Magic sharpshooter Irene van Dyk.
Since Jodi Te Huna's knee injury in the lead up to the Commonwealth Games, Silver Ferns coach Ruth Aitken has relied on Van Dyk, Maria Tutaia and Colling in recent internationals. Te Huna is rehabilitating from the injury, which means the spotlight will now fall on up-and-coming players like Lund, Jessica Tuki, Jade Topia, Jamilah Gupwell, Paula Griffin and Te Huinga Reo Selby-Rickit.
National selectors will name a replacement shooter on October 2, after the end of the national championship which begins on September 25. The event is the last chance for Silver Ferns hopefuls to push for inclusion in Aitken's world championship squad.
Lund is in New Plymouth with the Bay of Plenty Gold team playing seeding matches ahead of the provincial championships. The Bay face Southland, Tasman and Auckland Waitakere this weekend.
The competition has the 12 A Grade teams split into two sections, with games in Christchurch and New Plymouth this weekend. The results will see teams ranked in a top six and bottom six for the championship week in Auckland.
Last year's beaten finalists Waikato, along with Southland, Canterbury and Auckland-Waitakere, are picked to pose the biggest threats to defending champions North.
BOP Gold (A grade): Kiri Adams, Laurelle Borck, Pauline Craven, Tanya Lund, Kiwi-Bianca McLeod-Ohia, Louise Moffat, Melissa Ruru, Elias Shadrock, Hannah Simmonds, Kahurangi Waititi, Arahi Wall; coach, Dorcas Kayes; assistant coach, Debbie Matoe; manager Nicky Schraft. BOP Blue (B grade): Annabelle Aston, Sonia Donnelly, Christina Diamond, Kerry Heitia, Rebecca Love, Parehuia Mafi, Tamaku Paul, Keiha Pukepuke, Hemoata Purukamu, Jaylene Tamati, Awhina Savage, Jamie Allen; coaches, Kimiora Insley, Beverley Southee; manager, Sue Brown.
- additional reporting by NZPA
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