Netball: Old hands fighting to keep places

Anna Rowberry suffered a knee injury this year and will be eager to prove her fitness. Picture / Paul Estcourt

Ruth Aitken wouldn't be the first coach this year to be torn over the question of experience versus youth.

For Aussie cricket coach Trevor Hohns it was Jason Gillespie; for Wallabies boss Eddie Jones it was George Gregan. At Manchester United, the debate raged over Roy Keane, and at New Zealand Cricket headquarters it was Chris Cairns.

The only slight difference this weekend for Aitken is that her dilemma involves not only long-standing defender Lesley Rumball but also former captain Anna Rowberry and returning goal-attack specialist Belinda Colling.

The trio will put their case to the Silver Ferns' boss during tomorrow morning's trial at the ASB Centre, their last chance to impress before next week's naming of the squad to play Australia in a one-off test at the end of the month.

Rumball, the anchor of New Zealand's defence for the past decade, has already been usurped as a starter by rising star Laura Langman but has asserted her right to continue competing.

Rowberry will attempt to show she's completely recovered from a knee injury suffered earlier in the year and Colling will try to persuade Aitken that childbirth and a year away from the game should not count against her.

All three have been outstanding contributors to the New Zealand cause since playing together for Otago during the late 1990s, but all three now find themselves under pressure.

For mid-courters Rumball and Rowberry, the challenge will be trying to negotiate a log-jam that effectively sees six top-quality candidates vying for four squad positions.

To make things even more complicated for the pair, Waikato star Laura Langman, Ferns' captain Adine Wilson and centre Temepara George seem sure to be retained, leaving them in a head-to-head with utility mid-courter Victoria Edward.

For Colling the degree of difficulty increases markedly because of her limitations. She can't play at goal-shoot and, given the wealth of riches available to Aitken further up the court, she won't be required to play in any other position either.

Aitken conceded yesterday the selection issues were complicated, but said making the tough calls was an occupational hazard in elite sport.

Much more difficult, she said, was trying to find the ideal balance between the experience and performance factors so that the squad could continue to evolve and develop.

Aitken said she was leaning towards a combination of four defenders, four mid-courters and four shooters in the squad, and was thrilled to see so much competition for positions throughout the court.

"I've been really impressed by the determination of all the contenders but especially those more established players who want to demonstrate they they've got something more to offer," she said.

"No one is being discounted; all doors are open."

* Silver Ferns v Australia
October 29, Trusts Stadium, Waitakere

TRIALISTS

Liana Barrett-Chase (Western), Temepara George (North), Belinda Colling (Canterbury), Vilimaina Davu (Canterbury), Leana de Bruin (North), Victoria Edward (Auckland Waitakere), Joline Henry (Waikato), Laura Langman (Waikato), Rachel Rasmussen (Auckland), Anna Rowberry (Auckland), Lesley Rumball (Southland), Sheryl Scanlan (North), Anna Scarlett (Otago), Anna Senio (Waikato), Jodi Te Huna (Auckland Waitakere), Jessica Tuki (Western), Maria Tutaia (Auckland), Irene Van Dyk (Waikato), Debbie White (Otago), Casey Williams (Waikato), Adine Wilson (Southland).