After two years on the outside looking in, neither a dodgy ankle nor the addition of a beautiful baby boy will keep Wanganui-born netballer Joline Henry from reclaiming what is hers.
The 30-year-old wing defender, a World and Commonwealth Games gold medallist, was the familiar name announced yesterday morning inWaimarama Taumaunu's 15-strong wider Silver Fern squad at the conclusion of the gruelling national camp in Auckland.
The pick of the team will play the Constellation Cup series against Australia, beginning in Invercargill on September 15, as preparations ramp up for the 2014 Commonwealth Games.
Despite giving birth in January and still managing the calf muscle problems which saw her miss half of this year's Central Pulse campaign, Henry approached the demanding week which involved games lasting six quarters then a final Possibles vs Probables trial with the same confidence she had when she last donned the black top in 2011.
There were 11 players chasing around six spots in the midcourt with Henry invited to trial alongside Katarina Cooper, Courtney Tairi and Phillipa Finch as they faced the incumbents in Laura Langman, Kayla Cullen, Camilla Lees, Grace Rasmussen and Anna Thompson.
However, it was nothing new to Henry, who said the jostling for recognition was no different to when the likes of Liana Leota were available, or when Temepara Bailey (nee George) held sway.
"It was a privilege to be invited into a squad like that.
"It was a tough week, but I wouldn't be there if I didn't value my ability.
"It's only the start of things really, only one of the goals that leads to next year."
This is a competitive athlete who by no means feels her time away from the national scene has made comeback success any less likely.
While feeling the fatigue from the gutbusting week and soon to be turning 31, Henry said there is plenty of work to do but time off from injury and motherhood does not have her stepping back from her peak.
"No, I didn't think it would be harder. Basically I said that I'm at 80 per cent of what I'm capable of.
"I believe I can be better than I've ever been.
"For two years I've essentially been without a summer and that's when we build our engine, so to speak."
So the hunt is on to capture another gold medal for the mantelpiece given an arrangement had to be made with her eager father for the 2010 Commonwealth Games prize to go to the family home after a year in her possession.
