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Silver Ferns coach Dame Noeline Taurua felt Monica Falkner and Sam Winders would be pushing for the team against England on the first day of their training camp.
Falkner and Winders were the big boosters when Silver Ferns’ 12-man squad to face the Roses in three tests at Hamilton, beginning Wednesday, was unveiled Sunday.
Falkner, 24, is set for a test debut with Maia Wilson and Captain Ameliaranne Ekenasio, the only other shooters named. Falkner tore his anterior cruciate ligament at last year’s Cadbury Series, but 15 months later he’s ready to get his first taste of international netball.
Winders center back, née Sinclair, last played for the Ferns in January 2019 at the Northern Quad Series in England. She narrowly missed the 2019 Netball World Cup team and then was unwanted for the Constellation Cup against Australia and the Nations Cup in January.
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Other characteristics of the squad see that the goal keeps Kelly Jury and Sulu Fitzpatrick in the return after absences from the national team.
Ferns centurion Katrina Rore, who did not participate in the Cadbury Series, is unavailable due to undisclosed medical reasons. Experienced shooter Te Paea Selby-Rickit was lost after her workload was handled due to an Achilles tendon injury in the Cadbury Series and a lack of consistency.
Central Kimiora Poi was the stranger in a congested midfield. Taurua opted for Winders and Claire Kersten, who will fight for the back of the starting wing defense and can also back Shannon Saunders in center. Karin Burger is also an option on wing defense, depending on what the Ferns do in the defensive circle.
Hagen Hopkins / Getty Images
In the middle of the court Sam Winders, pictured playing Australia in 2018, has been called up to the Silver Ferns to face England.
Teen Goal Shoot Grace Nweke has been named a training partner for the series, which will be played on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday, but will not enter the Hamilton court.
Falkner was first selected to the Silver Ferns in 2017 and has been in and around the team, but has yet to get a test cap.
Taurua said Falkner, Winders, Kersten and Jury made a big impression on the opening day of their first training camp in Wellington earlier this month.
“They came to the camp from day one really determined and very committed and very focused. I think because they were away from Silver Ferns’ surroundings, they were more balanced in what they had to do.
“What I like about [Falkner] is she aerial. She can take a hard ball. She is very competitive one on one and has a bit of a fight. He’s generally a high-percentage shooter and doesn’t flinch when he fires the shot. “
Kerry Marshall / Getty Images
Goal keep Kelly Jury returns to the Silver Ferns team to play England in Hamilton this week.
If he hits the court in Hamilton, it would be something of a homecoming for Falkner, who has played for the Waikato-Bay of Plenty Magic in the ANZ Premiership before signing with the Auckland Stars for 2021.
Falkner was born in Ōpōtiki in the eastern Bay of Plenty, raised in Waimana, and educated in Whakatāne.
Winders has been on the outside for the Ferns, last playing an international game nearly two years ago. The retirement of New Zealand netball great Laura Langman, who plays in the same positions as her, has helped her cause, but Winders’ play in the ANZ Premiership and Cadbury Series was impressive, Taurua said.
“With Sam from day one she was competitive, either in training or made sure to prepare as best she could, but she also contributed well in team discussions.
“As time passed, Sam showed his determination [on court]. Your ability to catch the ball and your drive [was pleasing]. That point of difference when I made changes or needed that on the court, I think that’s where she came to the fore. “
The Silver Ferns will enter the England series with great confidence. They endured a strong finish from the New Zealand men to win Saturday’s Cadbury Series final 55-52 at Palmerston North.
It was a turnaround for the Ferns, who were outscored 13 goals by the same opponent on Thursday. The men won both games of the Cadbury Series against the Ferns last year, including the final.
Taurua praised the Ferns’ determination as the men achieved a powerful finish in the fourth quarter, coming back 48-41 to tie the score at 49-49 with five minutes to go. The ferns refused to crumble and Taurua rated the victory with some of his best.
“I think it was probably one of our most dominant performances and I also have the Netball World Cup in mind.
“I thought we were very smart and I thought mentally that we were in space and I faced them.
“I was really proud. It was like a test match and the feeling of joy at the end was incredible ”.
TAKE A LOOK:
Silver Ferns team to play against England: Ameliaranne Ekenasio (c), Karin Burger, Gina Crampton, Monica Falkner, Sulu Fitzpatrick, Kelly Jury, Claire Kersten, Shannon Saunders, Whitney Souness, Jane Watson, Sam Winders, Maia Wilson.
