Netball: Harper's talents will take her all the way

It's time people took notice of Adine Harper.

Expect her to be among New Zealand's top 20 players when Yvonne Willering names her Silver Ferns triallists tomorrow.

Don't be shocked if the 19-year-old shooter, defender - and now midcourter - makes it one step further into the New Zealand team to play at the world champs in September.

Harper has been one of the stand-out players in the Star Series over the past week. She is turning into the perfect utility player - a bit of a rarity in international netball.

Her specialty is goal shoot-goal attack, but she filled the gaping hole at goal defence for the Otago Rebels in the Coca Cola Cup last month. Last weekend, South coach Lois Muir gave her a run at centre - a job she handled admirably.

There is no question about Harper's enthusiasm. As a 16-year-old from Hawera, she tried so hard to make the New Zealand side for the world under-21 championships that she put her back out twice.

Shooters for next week's trial in Taupo may be hard to come by. Two Ferns are sure to be out of contention - Noeline Taurua with a wrenched knee and Jo Steed with an injured ankle.

Willering will name the New Zealand side three days after the trial. Her conundrum is whether or not she should name injured players and hope they will be fit by next month's home series against South Africa.

Sixteen-year-old Daneka Wipiiti surely must get a trial, but her youth will count against her.

Otago defenders Vicki Edward and Katie Fay deserve another chance to show Willering their talents, while Northern midcourter Temepara George, a former Fern, has played herself back into the reckoning.

The two trial teams will be a jumble of players - it will not be the Ferns versus the contenders.

But it is hard to see Willering wavering far from the team who beat Australia in February. Why would you? There has hardly been a drastic drop in form by any of the incumbent Ferns, and as Willering would say, now is not the time to start experimenting.

Still, Harper deserves a second look.