Netball: Waikato's Metcalfe good bet for Aussie

By JULIE ASH

Waikato coach Nicole Dryden hopes the selectors will include a number of young players and Amigene Metcalfe in the Silver Ferns side to face Australia next month.

Following their win over North in the final of the national provincial tournament in Palmerston North, six Waikato players were named in the 18-strong New Zealand squad.

While 19-year-old defender Casey Williams was the bolter, Metcalfe, 30, made a return to the squad after the birth of her daughter, Jorja.

Metcalfe, who was in the New Zealand squad two years ago, was the most outstanding wing attack in the tournament.

Her speed through court and connection with Irene van Dyk were impeccable.

With Silver Ferns captain Anna Rowberry still recovering from knee surgery and out of the Australian series, Metcalfe may just secure a spot in the New Zealand team to be named on Wednesday.

Australia have tweaked the rules of the series to allow both countries to take a squad of about 15 into the series.

A team of 12 must be named 24 hours before each match.

Silver Ferns coach Ruth Aitken is still to decide how many she will take to Australia.

If she sticks with the traditional 12, there will be at least one opening in the side following Rowberry's withdrawal.

The question is whether Aitken will take another midcourter, a shooter or a defender.

She took three shooters, five midcourters and four defenders into the last series against Australia.

The inclusion of Otago goal attack Angela Mitchell in the New Zealand squad indicates Aitken may be leaning towards taking another shooter, although she would be fairly safe relying on van Dyk, Belinda Colling and Jodi Te Huna.

If she stayed with three shooters, it would allow her to take another midcourter or defender, which means youngsters Laura Langman, 18, and Williams and the experienced Metcalfe are all in with a chance.

Many, including Dryden, see the series against Australia as a chance to blood new players.

"I would like to see them take as young a group as possible," she said.

"They can afford to it - now is the time.

"Young talent and Amigene."

But while New Zealand has an abundance of up-and-coming midcourters and defenders, there is no surplus of top shooters.

Aitken concedes there is a bit of gap in terms of shooting, but believes the tier of players below the Silver Ferns can step up to the plate.

"Every sport in every area goes through cycles.

"We have had a few experienced shooters who have retired or are not here at this time, so there seems to be a gap in that particular area," said Aitken.

"But cycles come and go and it is up to the next ones to raise their game ...

"Opportunity is a wonderful thing and when people get an opportunity in an environment like the Silver Ferns, they rise to the occasion."

Squads


Silver Ferns squad


Temepara Clark (North), Belinda Colling (Canterbury Flames), Vilimaina Davu (Canterbury), Leana du Plooy (Waikato), Victoria Edward (Auckland Waitakere), Adine Harper (Southland), Joline Henry (Waikato), Laura Langman (Waikato), Donna Loffhagen (Southland), Amigene Metcalfe (Waikato), Angela Mitchell (Otago), Lesley Nicol (Southland), Anna Rowberry (Auckland Diamonds), Sheryl Scanlan (North), Anna Scarlett (Otago), Jodi Te Huna (Canterbury), Casey Williams (Waikato), Irene van Dyk (Waikato).

NZA squad

Stephanie Bond (Otago), Jenny Ferguson (Southern Sting), Krystal Feterika-Opetaia (Auckland/Waitakere), Anna Galvan (Canterbury), Kimberley Horton (North), Katie Ritchie (Capital Shakers), Anna Senio (Bay of Plenty), Alison Shanks (Otago), Debbie White (Otago), Angelina Yates (North).

NZ under-21 squad

Liana Barrett-Chase (Western), Katarina Cooper (Western), Katrina Grant (Auckland Waitakere), Debbie Hill (Otago), Laura Langman (Waikato), Emma McGeorge (Otago 2), Elizabeth Manu (Canterbury), Amenda Payne (Auckland Waitakere), Grace Rasmussen (Auckland Waitakere U19), Rachel Rasmussen (Auckland Waitakere), Te Huinga Reo Selby Rickit (Western), Brigette Tapene (Auckland Waitakere), Anna Thompson (Canterbury), Wendy Telfer (Southland), Jessica Tuki (Western), Maria Tutaia (Auckland Waitakere), Casey Williams (Waikato).