Netball: Boost the Ferns with shooters, says Magic coach

Magic coach Noeline Taurua believes Silver Ferns coach Ruth Aitken should boost New Zealand's shooting lineup for next month's test against Australia.

In what has probably been one of her toughest coaching assignments yet, Aitken will today name a team of 12 to face Australia in a one-off test in Sydney next month.

Such is the standard of competition that Silver Ferns veterans Anna Rowberry, Sheryl Scanlan and Lesley Rumball may not be safe.

With depth in every third of the court, Aitken's major dilemma will be whether to go into the test with an even split of four shooters, four midcourt players and four defence or take an extra midcourter or defender and sacrifice a shooter.

New Zealand could get through the test with three shooters but with the Commonwealth Games less than a year out Taurua believes it would be wise to go with an even split.

"The timing is right to do it now. Use this game to see where people are at then consolidate in the second test in October looking ahead to the Commonwealth Games."

The goal attack most deserving of selection is Anna Senio, a member of Taurua's Magic side.

Senio has come to the forefront in this year's competition and showed she is worthy of a black bib.

The question is whether Senio will edge out Rebels Angela Mitchell or will Aitken take both along with Irene van Dyk and Jodi Te Huna, who can play both goal shoot and goal attack.

Taking four shooters would, however, mean reducing the number of midcourters and/or defenders.

New Zealand have plenty of depth in the midcourt with Rowberry, Adine Wilson, Temepara George, Amigene Metcalfe, Laura Langman, Lesley Rumball and Victoria Edward all in the mix.

However Rowberry and Rumball have been grappling with injuries. Rowberry is still tentative on the knee she had operated on last year while Rumball has struggled with a shoulder strain.

Taurua believes players carrying injuries should be left behind. "If you have got players carrying injuries it is the whole "are they going to be alright scenario? There are plenty of other players who are good enough who are injury free."

She pinpoints her captain Metcalfe. "She offers something different than they currently have. She has got the same speed as everyone else but she can do the no look, or the fakes well and her feeding into Irene [van Dyk] at the moment is superb."

Defensively, Aitken is also spoilt for choice with Scanlan, Vilimaina Davu, Anna Scarlett, Joline Henry, Casey Williams and Leana de Bruin pushing for players.

Of that group Davu, Scarlett, Henry and Williams have made the most impact in the National Bank Cup. Like her Magic team-mate Senio - Williams has stepped up this season but it is difficult to say whether she has done enough to push out Scanlan.

"I think Casey [Williams] is coming along. I think her main rival would be Leana de Bruin.

"She still has a lot to learn but once again I think she is comparable to anyone out there. She is doing as good as Anna Scarlett, she is doing as good as Sheryl Scanlan if not better."