Temepara George has been lured out of retirement. Photo / Simon Baker
Temepara George has been lured out of retirement to reinforce New Zealand's injury hit world netball squad.
Netball New Zealand today confirmed the 59-test veteran had agreed to be on stand-by, should centre Laura Langman not recover from a stress fracture suffered at a training camp this month.
George was part of the side that won the world title in Jamaica in 2003, a title the Silver Ferns will try to defend in Auckland next month.
Though team management was confident Langman's left leg stress fracture would not be an issue before the Ferns open their title defence against Malawi on November 10, George's decision to be available for the first time since the unsuccessful tour of England in May is a significant boost.
George, 31, opted to make herself unavailable for the July series against Jamaica and Australia and also rejected an approach from coach Ruth Aitken to be involved in the world championship defence.
The livewire playmaker, an integral member of the world championship and Commonwealth Games-winning squads in 2003-04, left Auckland in August.
She now lives in Australia, where her partner, former Kiwis and New Zealand Warriors player Sione Faumuina plays for North Queensland in the National Rugby League (NRL).
When Langman was injured last week Aitken contacted George, who initially declined the approach.
Aitken today reported George had had a change of heart.
"We've stayed in touch with Temepara over the last few months, she has continued with her personal training and is available to step in if she is required."
Aitken said she was confident Langman would be fit for the tournament, but if not George was an ideal back stop.
George, who has not played since the National Bank Cup final in June, is unavailable for the Ferns training camp in Melbourne next week.
Southern Sting midcourter Liana Barrett Chase will travel with the squad after joining the Christchurch camp for Langman.
Langman will also travel to Australia.
New Zealand start their final pre-tournament camp in Auckland on November 4.
- NZPA
