Netball: Wanted: Two new shooters

By JULIE ASH

Now they've completed a series whitewash over Australia the next challenge for the Silver Ferns could be to find two new shooters before they play their transtasman rivals again in November.

Tania Dalton is pregnant and veteran goal attack Belinda Colling is heading overseas, leaving the side with just Irene van Dyk and Jodi Te Huna.

New Zealand A players Angela Mitchell, Katie Ritchie and Anna Senio are probably the next in the line, but they are a little way off replacing Colling in the starting line-up should she be unavailable for the November series.

It could also open the way for the return of former Silver Fern Donna Loffhagen. It has been claimed there has been conflict between Aitken and Loffhagen in the past.

She had an outstanding season for the Sting at goal attack, but has been unavailable for the last two years, choosing instead to concentrate on basketball where she is a member of the Olympic-bound Tall Ferns.

Talented North Harbour shooter Daneka Wipiiti, who was excused from the New Zealand A team for personal reasons, is also a long way from returning to the international arena.

Wipiiti played for the Silver Ferns in 2002, but was demoted from the New Zealand squad in January last year after twice pulling out of national camps.

Colling is heading overseas with partner Charlie Hore, who has a two-year contract to play rugby in Scotland.

The 28-year-old plans to discuss her future with Netball New Zealand and Silver Ferns coach Ruth Aitken soon, and says she is keen to continue playing. "I am not finished with netball," Colling said.

"I see myself in the large picture. There are some big things in three or four years that I want to be a part of."

She expected to leave New Zealand in "a few weeks" and was not sure if she would turn out for Canterbury in the national provincial tournament in September which, with the National Bank Cup, is one of the prerequisites for Silver Fern selection.


Silver Ferns captain Anna Rowberry had a scan yesterday to determine the extent of the leg injury she suffered in the final test. The results are expected this week.

Rival skipper Liz Ellis was yesterday sporting a neck brace after being taken to hospital after the match.

Her head slammed against the floor as she fell backwards after colliding with a team-mate in the third quarter.

She continued to the end of the match, but later needed stitches.

Australia coach Norma Plummer identified the performance of midcourter Jessica Shynn as one of the positives to come out of the series.


"She's got great vision and, as a 21-year-old, she has probably got a lot more to offer.

The Silver Ferns played their entire squad and Australia used 11 of their 12 players.

"We'll be selecting our new team at the end of the Commonwealth Bank Trophy ... there will be a lot of players open for selection," Plummer said.

"Certainly [Catherine] Cox will be there which gives me more options to look at."