Netball: Match behind closed doors

Leana du Plooy, dropped from the Silver Ferns side this week, has been named in a strong New Zealand A team to play the Silver Ferns and Australia.

The Australian clash, on June 28 will be closed to the public and media.

Included in the team are New Zealand squad members, Laura Langman and Angela Mitchell. Former Silver Fern Anna Galvan (nee Veronese) joins the team after having her first child last year.

Coach Alison Wieringa said the selectors looked for players who showed consistency in the National Bank Cup competition and displayed the attributes which could see them in the Silver Ferns.

New Zealand A will play the Silver Ferns before the first test of the Fisher & Paykel series against Australia in June-July. The match will be played in Blenheim on June 27.

The game against the Australians the following day will be the first between New Zealand A and their rivals from across the Tasman.

"It's fantastic for our team to play an international side of such a high calibre," Wieringa said.

The 10 players announced yesterday will be joined by two more later.


Shooters: Anna Senio (Waikato/Bay of Plenty Magic), Katie Ritchie (Shakers), Angela Mitchell (Otago Rebels).

Midcourt: Laura Langman (Waikato/Bay of Plenty Magic), Debbie White (Otago Rebels), Krystal Feterika-Opetaia (Diamonds).

Defence: Leana du Plooy (Waikato/Bay of Plenty Magic), Casey Williams (Waikato/Bay of Plenty Magic), Anna Galvan (nee Veronese, Southern Sting), Jenny Ferguson (Southern Sting).

- NZPA