Diamonds coach Sue Hawkins says she is happy to see out the National Bank Cup with 10 players if need be.
Hawkins was dealt a serious blow on Sunday when veteran Silver Fern Anna Rowberry said after the Rebels game that it was her last for the franchise.
Rowberry had
announced her pregnancy and retirement from international netball earlier in the day but it was always thought she was going to complete the franchise competition or at least take it on a game-by-game basis.
But after hobbling off in the third quarter with an ankle injury, Rowberry, now three months pregnant, decided to call it quits on the spot much to the surprise of the Diamonds franchise. "As I said to everyone, respect her decision, she'll be a loss to the game but good luck with her motherhood," Hawkins said.
"If you have got a player that is not 100 per cent committed then it is difficult. I think I had seen that in the last couple of weeks with Anna."
It is understood Rowberry's fiance, Dr Jeremy Stanley, had concerns over her playing and having seen their baby for the first time on a scan the pair naturally wanted to protect it.
Rowberry is the third player Hawkins has lost through pregnancy in the last month after former Australian captain Kathryn Harby-Williams and defender Rachel Rasmussen withdrew.
Hawkins said she had got some feelers out but was not actively seeking replacements feeling she had got enough cover in the midcourt and defence positions.
"When I played we only had 10 players. We survived world championships and internationals with 10 players. It just means everyone has to work a bit harder and trust each other more," the former Australian shooter said.
"There are no more pregnancies, it is time now to focus on what we can do. Grace Rasmussen and Rawinia Everitt can run my wing ... don't write us off yet."
