KEY POINTS:
New Zealand could well rue the absence of a defender that intimidates opposing shooters when they set out to defend their world title in November, Auckland Diamonds coach Sue Hawkins believes.
Hawkins says that, like defender Vilimaina Davu who played a massive role in New Zealand winning the
last world championships in 2003, Anna Scarlett has the ability to disrupt the rhythm of Australian shooters Catherine Cox and Sharelle McMahon.
But Scarlett, a Diamonds player, has been left out of Ruth Aitken's world championship squad with selectors opting to stick with the side that lost last month's home and away test series 1-2 to Australia.
In dropping Scarlett, Aitken said: "It was a tough call for Anna. We've always felt we've had five quality defenders and in this case it was not about talent, it was a lack of space."
Australia's explosive but precise game exposed several shortcomings in the Silver Ferns and Hawkins said the team needed someone to unnerve the Australian shooters.
"I am certainly disappointed (with Scarlett's exclusion).
"I think she did a great job in the National Bank Cup and I think Anna is the type or defender who gets in the head of shooters - she can upset them mentally and that's what the Silver Ferns are lacking in terms of the Australian shooters."
Hawkins said she had never seen Australian goal shoot Catherine Cox rise to the occasion as she did in the recent test series and her combination with goal attack Sharelle McMahon was outstanding at the moment.
"...Anna is one who can get in the heads of Cox and McMahon," Hawkins said.
Hawkins, an Australian, said she did not subscribe to the suggestion that Scarlett, whose last Silver Ferns outing was in the Tri-Series in England in May when New Zealand were beaten by England for the first time in 32 years and by Australia, gave too many penalties away.
" It is quite interesting to hear comments of the amount of penalties she concedes, however, she got the ball, she got rebounds, and she got into play quite a lot.
"As a defender you are going out there to get the ball.
" You don't want a squeaky clean defender but you don't want it blowing out either."
Hawkins said she had spoken with Scarlett on Friday night after the defender won the award for best Diamonds player of 2007.
"I'm pretty sure she's keen to keep going - she will want to prove to everyone she should have been in that team and she said she wants to have a great national provincial championship coming up in September."
Hawkins, who is in the running to coach the new northern franchise for the Trans-Tasman league next year said the Silver Ferns would need to improve speed in passing and delivery of the ball.
"Once they have the confidence going, when they let the ball go they are in contention against Australia."
She said Australia looked sharp, moved the ball extremely quickly and had confidence.
"They also did not have (wing defender) Mo'onia Gerrard there either and she's the type of player that gets in the heads of attackers too."
- NZPA
