By JULIE ASH
New Silver Fern Jodi Te Huna would love nothing more than to line up against her old Shakers team-mate, England captain Amanda Newton, in this week's three-test series.
Te Huna, Newton and injured English midcourt player Olivia Murphy all played for Wellington's Capital Shakers in the 1999 national league.
"They
were both hard cases and a lot of fun," Te Huna said. "When they came over they were kind of here to learn. I don't remember them getting a lot of court time but I think they gained a lot of experience."
With Te Huna a shooter and Newton a defender there is a small chance the pair may just come up against each other - although Newton has mostly been playing at wing defence.
"Amanda is a really tight player and she is always on you. On attack she passes and goes. So she is always going and going and she never gives up," said Te Huna, 22.
"Their arm span is like about two of our arm spans so you have to make sure you take that extra step or go that bit further to clear their hands so that they are not getting tips."
The 26-year-old Newton said she was not surprised when Te Huna was named in the New Zealand side.
"When I played with her in the Shakers she was only young, the kind of new kid on the block. She played basketball as well back then. She was good fun and a good laugh."
And how will she feel if she has to come up against her old team-mate?
"It will be a great tussle," Newton said. "She is good at holding and playing off the ball. She is quite a clever player."
But while Newton has 62 caps under her belt, Te Huna is hoping to get her first this week.
"I hope to get on and get my first test out of the way and get out there and have fun and show why I am a Silver Fern," Te Huna said.
"The first couple of practice games I was quite blown away, I was kind of like 'wow'. It wasn't until today that I have settled down and played my own game.
"The girls have been really supportive but in saying that they have been showing me what goes on and the intensity and the step up you need to take to be in the Silver Ferns. But it has been great."
