Which is not to say the sense of occasion wasn't lost on the young defender.
A member of the wider Ferns squad for the past couple of seasons, Selby-Rickit's debut has been a long time coming. She was called into the test side for the first time this season for the Constellation Cup, but was dropped for the Australian leg of the series as New Zealand coach Waimarama Taumaunu opted to call in reinforcements for the struggling midcourt, only to be recalled when defender Leana de Bruin injured her calf before the third test in Adelaide.
Selby-Rickit said she was thrilled to finally get on court.
"It was pretty exciting, I was nervous - very, very nervous actually, but it was great to get out on court in the black dress," she said.
The Central Pulse defender, known for her ability to read a game, admits she took time to adjust to the unorthodox style of the Malawi side in the Ferns' 70-32 win. She was not alone.
New Zealand side struggled early on to find their timing on attack and through-court links. The main objective for the Ferns heading into tomorrow's second test in Napier is to execute their gameplan better and adjust more quickly to Malawi's tactics.
A different starting seven will probably be trialled. The likes of Cathrine Latu, Maria Tutaia and Casey Kopua should be back in the starting line-up, while Ferns newcomer Katarina Cooper is expected to become the fourth player to make her debut this season.
Cooper, a shock selection this season, is now being looked more in the centre and wing defence roles, given there have been so many change-ups at wing attack.
Both teams endured a 5-hour bus ride to Napier after wild weather in the capital ruled out flights.
