KEY POINTS:
She may be light on attacking options, but there is no shortage of optimism from Silver Ferns coach Ruth Aitken that her new national squad has the talent to foot it with Australia in the upcoming internationals.
Following a largely disappointing ANZ Championship campaign from the New Zealand
teams, there are already dire predictions for the Ferns' international season, which includes four matches against Australia and three with England.
The selectors yesterday named a squad of 16 which included four newcomers - Tactix shooter Anna Thompson, Steel midcourters Erika Burgess and Wendy Telfer, and Magic defender Jodi Tod.
With three of the four newcomers regarded as more defensive specialists, it leaves the Ferns struggling for options in the wing-attack and goal-attack positions.
But Aitken is confident she has the right mix.
"We believe this is a group of athletes who are extremely committed to the challenges ahead. The squad is a good mix of experience and youth and has an eye to the future - with six of the squad having been in the winning World Youth Cup team of 2005," said Aitken.
With a plethora of strong wing defence options to choose from, Aitken said it was a tough decision settling on her midcourt. She believes all five New Zealand franchises had quality wing-defences, with Central Pulse workhorse Cushla Lichtwark and nuggety Tactix midcourter Phillipa Finch very unlucky to miss out to the Steel pair.
Of the two, Telfer is perhaps the more surprising inclusion given she has not been a regular starter for the Southern franchise.
Aitken said it was the former NZ Under-21 captain's strong performances in the Steel's wins over the Melbourne Vixens and West Coast Fever that sealed her selection.
"Wendy is very uncompromising on court and she just offers that different style at centre from Laura Langman and Julie Seymour."
Burgess started out the season at goal-defence but soon found her niche at wing-defence, impressing the selectors with her steady improvement over the season.
The squad of 16 will be whittled down to a 12-strong test line-up by the end of next month, following the team's first camp.
With only five midcourters named, it appears it will be a straight-forward battle between the two Steel players for the fourth midcourt spot, alongside incumbents Laura Langman, Maree Bowden and Julie Seymour.
But Aitken has also hinted the selectors are also considering Thompson for her ability to slide between the goal-attack and wing-attack positions.
While Thompson has played at goal-attack for the Tactix all season, she plays more of a dynamic feeding role for the Canterbury side, and Aitken believes a move to the wing won't be too much of a stretch.
"She has played there at Under-21 level and also for the Otago Rebels last year, so we wouldn't be converting her as such."
The toughest decisions though will be reserved for the defensive end where Aitken finds herself awash with talent. After a strong season for the Magic, goal-defence Jodi Tod will be pushing hard for a place in the side.
* Australian coach Norma Plummer also unveiled her squad yesterday, with Firebirds wing-defence Clare McMeniman, Thunderbirds shooter Kate Beveridge and Vixens goal-shoot Caitlin Thwaites the new inclusions.
SILVER FERNS
Shooters: Paula Griffin (Mystics), Anna Thompson (Tactix), Maria Tutaia (Magic), Irene van Dyk (Magic), Daneka Wipiiti (Steel).
Midcourt: Maree Bowden (Tactix), Erika Burgess(Steel), Laura Langman (Magic), Julie Seymour (Tactix), Wendy Telfer (Steel).
Defence: Leana de Bruin (Mystics), Katrina Grant (Steel), Joline Henry (Magic), Sheryl Scanlan (Mystics), Jodi Tod (Magic), Casey Williams (Magic).
AUSTRALIA
Shooters: Kate Beveridge (Thunderbirds), Catherine Cox (Swifts), Sharelle McMahon (Vixens), Natalie Medhurst (Thunderbirds), Susan Pratley (Swifts), Caitlin Thwaites (Vixens).
Midcourt: Kimberlee Green (Swifts), Renae Hallinan (Vixens), Clare McMeniman (Firebirds), Lauren Nourse (Firebirds), Natalie von Bertouch (Thunderbirds).
Defence: Rebecca Bulley (Swifts), Bianca Chatfield (Vixens), Susan Fuhrmann (Fever), Laura Geitz (Firebirds), Mo'onia Gerrard (Thunderbirds), Julie Prendergast (Vixens), Kimberley Purcell (Swifts).
