Netball: Ferns to take on Rest of World

The Silver Ferns netball team will take on a Rest of the World combination in this year's international series.

Netball New Zealand announced yesterday that the Ferns will play the World team in three tests at Wellington, Christchurch and Hamilton in early July.

The New Zealand side will also play two tests against world No 6-ranked Fiji in the Fisher and Paykel-sponsored series.

NNZ chief executive Shelley McMeeken said Australia, England and Jamaica were committed to providing top talent.

"The indications are we'll secure the stars of last year's world championships," McMeeken said.

The series also involves the under-21 national side.

[MA:13;-40;]June 27, Silver Ferns v Fiji (first test), ASB Stadium, Auckland; June 29, Silver Ferns v Fiji (second test), Manawatu Sports Stadium, Palmerston North; July 1, Silver Ferns v World 7 (first test), Queens Wharf Events Centre, Wellington; New Zealand under-21 v Fiji (curtainraiser); July 5, Silver Ferns v World 7 (second test), WestpacTrust Stadium, Christchurch; July 8, Silver Ferns v World 7 (third test), Mystery Creek, Hamilton.

Other games: June 26, Fiji v NZ Maori, ASB Stadium, Auckland; June 28 NZ under-21 v World 7, Walter Nash Stadium, Lower Hutt; June 30 NZ under-21 v Wellington team, closed session.

- NZPA