KEY POINTS:
Laura Langman, the heir to the Silver Ferns' pivotal centre spot for the world title defence in four month's time, can't promise to "save the world".
Instead the Silver Ferns - without the "silver bullet" of Temepara George to cure their ills - need to hone their full
complement of 12 to save the world title from falling into Australian hands.
Ferns coach Ruth Aitken has stuck with the squad who twice fell short of the Australians in the three-test series last week, believing she has the best 12 in the country to win the world championships in Auckland in November.
She purposely named her final team well in advance, so the players can sharpen their links, settle specialist positions and concentrate solely on the world tournament in fortnightly training camps.
Langman was virtually signed on at centre yesterday after veteran George scratched herself from the team, as she resettles across the Tasman. Regular wing defence Langman was thrown into the middle for the first time a fortnight ago, when George initially declared herself unavailable, and her performance showed promise.
George fans held their breath yesterday, hoping she would return to the fray and perhaps solve the Silver Ferns' problems. But when that didn't eventuate, 21-year-old Langman acknowledged the pressure of filling her place and those heavy expectations.
"I can't save the world," she said. "I can only take small steps. I know I have a lot to learn in a short space of time. But hopefully I'll put my hand up in November and be able to say, 'Centre's safe with me'."
Former Silver Ferns captain Julie Seymour, who holds the most New Zealand caps in this side, will continue as Langman's centre/wing defence alternate. She felt positive about the new midcourt set-up.
"I think the midcourt, at times, worked really well - but all the areas of court were like that," she said. "I would feel more pressure if the defence and the shooters had played amazing all the time, but it hasn't been like that. The midcourt can definitely improve, but we're not tragic."
Aitken said the players weren't upset with George's decision - "these girls want her to be happy".
George and Aitken had spoken about her possible return, with the Ferns prepared to give her "flexibility", allowing her to live in Queensland through until the world championships.
"It's not about where you live, it's about coping with where you live. Once the training camps came in [at the end of August], we expected her to be here for them. You can't turn up the day before world champs and say I'm ready," Aitken said. "But in the end, it's about her still honouring the Fern and making that commitment. She had to make the right decision for her life and unless you've walked in her shoes, you can't judge her for that. She couldn't make a decision based on what everyone else wants."
Former Ferns goal keeper Anna Scarlett was again overlooked. Assistant coach Leigh Gibbs said Scarlett could justifiably feel disappointed.
"But we felt the four defenders we had provided the range of playing styles we need for the major opponents," she said.
Aitken's decision to name her team now - two months ahead of the Australian final selection - was based around the need to move out of the "selection mode" players and coaches have been in since the National Bank Cup in April, and concentrate solely on the build-up.
The players will meet every fortnight in five-day camps, dotted around the country. They will travel back to Australia to play men's netball teams to attune to the fast, physical style.
The answer has to be found to closing the eight-goal gap that exists between the Ferns and Australia.
"First of all, we don't give them a head-start," Gibbs said.
"We've got to address that, and we have every confidence we can do it.
"The Australians have had the benefit of playing a top seven for the past 18 months.
"But we have to look at it that new faces bring freshness."
SQUAD
Shooters: Irene van Dyk (Waikato-Bay of Plenty Magic), Maria Tutaia (Auckland Diamonds), Jodi Te Huna (Otago Rebels), Paula Griffin (Auckland Diamonds)
Midcourt: Adine Wilson (Southern Sting, captain), Maree Bowden (Canterbury Flames), Laura Langman (Waikato-Bay of Plenty Magic), Julie Seymour (Canterbury Flames)
Defence: Leana de Bruin (Northern Force), Casey Williams (Waikato-Bay of Plenty Magic), Joline Henry (Waikato-Bay of Plenty Magic), Sheryl Scanlan (North Force).
