Netball: New cap strikes blow for old style

By RICHARD BOOCK

Victoria Edward struck a blow for the old-fashioned specialists yesterday when she was named in the Silver Ferns squad for next month's Tri-Series in Australia.

The 24-year-old wing-defence forced her way into the 12-strong squad on the back of some storming national league form for the Waikato/Bay of Plenty Magic, and despite the fact she effectively plays only one position - an unusual feat in the modern era of netball.

Edward is the sole new cap in the side, coming in at the expense of Canterbury Flames goal-defence Anna Veronese, although the experienced Donna Loffhagen has been recalled to the fold after being unavailable for most of last season.

Loffhagen, with 33 caps, replaces in-form Force shooter Tania Dalton, who is expecting her first child.

Coach Yvonne Willering said yesterday that Edward had been rewarded for her sheer consistency and work-ethic this season, and that she deserved her promotion into the top bracket.

"I remember telling Victoria a while ago that she had to either play a second position or play the wing-defence role very, very well - and she's chosen the latter.

"She's been extremely consistent and her work-rate has been unbelievable.

"I think just about everyone agrees that she should be there."

The selection of Edward ahead of Veronese has also allowed Willering to make a small but noticeable adjustment to the balance of the squad, which now carries slightly more depth in the mid-court while still having all bases covered at the shooting and defensive ends.

Previously, the selectors had seemed to place more emphasis on the defensive circle, where there was a choice between Bernice Mene, Linda Vagana, Vilimaina Davu, Sheryl Clarke and Veronese.

But yesterday's announcement showed a subtle shift in the balance of power.

With Clarke likely to be asked to concentrate on the goal-defence position, Edward provides Willering with some specialist cover for established wing-defence Lesley Nicol, as well as the freedom to use Nicol in the centre position if required.

"Victoria deserves to be there, and it also means there is some extra flexibility in our thinking on the mid-court," Willering said.

"Sheryl will focus more on the goal-defence position, but there is quite a lot of balance to this side, with Lesley also able to play centre."

Edward is formerly of Otago, where she completed her nursing qualifications.

She was a key member of the Rebels side who won the inaugural Coca Cola Cup in 1998 and finished runners-up in 1999, and continued her progress last year when she was part of the Waikato team who won the NPC.

A member of the New Zealand Academy, her next big assignment will be in Christchurch on Sunday when the Magic square off against the Flames in the second Coca Cola semifinal.

Willering said the closeness of this year's national league had created a useful opportunity for the selectors to watch players under intense match play and tight score-line pressure.

"The Tri-Series is the first event on our international calendar since our tour of South Africa late last year, so it was important to select in-form players with experience," she said.

The four New Zealand squad members who missed out on making the Silver Ferns team - Veronese, Daneka Wipi'iti, Nicolette Ropati and Anna Rowberry - have been named in the New Zealand A team to play the Ferns over Queen's Birthday Weekend.

The Tri-Series begins in Melbourne, where Australia play South Africa and New Zealand on June 8 and 9 respectively, and then moves on to Canberra, where South Africa square off against the Ferns and Australia on June 12 and 13.

New Zealand play the final double-header in Sydney on June 15 and 16.

Silver Ferns: Irene van Dyk, Donna Loffhagen, Belinda Colling, Adine Harper, Jenny-May Coffin, Temepara George, Lesley Nicol, Sheryl Clarke, Victoria Edward, Bernice Mene (capt), Linda Vagana and Vilimaina Davu.

New Zealand A: Anna Veronese, Daneka Wipi'iti, Jodi Te Huna, Renee Jacobsen, Nicolette Ropati, Anna Rowberry, Amigene Metcalfe, Jolene Henry, Rachel Rasmussen, Koren Pickard, Angelina Yates, Angela Evans.

New Zealand under-21: Jolene Henry, Rachel Rasmussen, Alison Toi, Stephanie Bond, Tara Pate, Jenna Swan, Phillipa Te Hira, Nicolette Ropati, Angelina Yates, Daneka Wipi'iti, Jodi Te Huna, Rachel Donnelly.