Netball: 'Stealth bomber' sneaks in

Grace Rasmussen impressed the Silver Ferns selectors with her performance in goal attack this week. Photo / Steven McNicholl

With selectors tending to play it safe for major tournaments, it isn't often you get a genuine bolter in the Silver Ferns in a Commonwealth Games year.

But every now and then a player comes along who inspires the selectors to push conventional wisdom to one side and go with their gut.

Northern Mystics youngster Grace Rasmussen was just that player.

The 22-year-old attacking utility was the shock selection in yesterday's Games team after an outstanding performance at trials saw her force her way in at the expense of Canterbury Tactix shooter Anna Thompson.

The other "new" inclusions in the team were three players returning to the test arena - shooter Daneka Wipiiti, and defenders Leana de Bruin and Anna Scarlett. Rasmussen said her selection was still sinking in.

"Being named a Silver Fern is an amazing achievement. To be able to say I'm going to the Commonwealth Games is even greater. It's a very cool feeling," she said.

Few would have considered Rasmussen to have a realistic chance of making the test side a week ago.

The former New Zealand under-21 star shared court time at wing attack with Jenny-May Coffin at the Mystics this year, providing a solid midcourt option, without being spectacular.

But thrown in her preferred position of goal attack at Silver Ferns trials, Rasmussen excelled.

"She was amazing, she has improved in all areas in terms of her conditioning and power, and hasbeen able to transfer that on to the court," said coach Ruth Aitken.

"She brings quite a different style into the goal-attack game, it's probably more a creator of space and opportunity. She is really cunning, and they actually began calling her the 'stealth bomber' at one stage. Her ability when she puts the hammer down to open up space is great."

While Rasmussen has spent very little time in the shooting circle in her past three seasons at the Mystics, she said she was not fazed when she was thrown the goal attack bib during trials this week.

"Goal attack isn't a foreign position, I've played there for most of my career and I actually enjoy the space and freedom at goal attack a bit more. And when you get to feed players like Irene van Dyk and Daneka Wipiiti, it's not difficult."

The second talking point yesterday was the return of Scarlett, who has been fast-tracked into the test side after announcing only a month ago she was giving up beach volleyball.

Scarlett's selection in the team, while not unexpected, is still somewhat of a risk, given the only netball she has played over the past three years has been at NPC level.

Aitken admits Scarlett was "a little rusty" during the trials, but said the selectors were confident picking the 39-time Silver Fern on the basis of her experience and potential.

This stance has led to criticism from some observers, who believe it is wrong to select a player who has not set foot on an ANZ Championship court. As one commentator put it : "At least Sonny-Bill [Williams] has to actually play before he gets selected for the All Blacks."

You have to feel sorry for Canterbury Tactix defender Charlotte Kight, who has impressed in the transtasman league, only to miss out.

Aitken said the selectors had to go with the top talent they had available.

"It is hard, there's no doubt about it. But in the end, we had to pick the best 12 that we thought had the best chance of winning that Commonwealth Games gold," she said.

"For Charlotte it is about furthering her development in that goal defence-wing defence slide, which put her up against Joline Henry for those positions. Yes, she has played at goal-keep, but when we have the luxury of height that we now have in that circle, we would see her as a mobile goal defender and wing defence cover."

Scarlett is likely to be thrown into action next weekend in the Ferns' first outing of the international season against Samoa in Porirua.

GAMES TEAM
Casey Williams (c), Liana Barrett-Chase, Leana de Bruin, Temepara George, Katrina Grant, Joline Henry, Laura Langman, Grace Rasmussen, Anna Scarlett, Maria Tutaia, Irene van Dyk, Daneka Wipiiti