[Ian Harkin]

#1309736

Karin Burger
Gina Crampton
Ameliaranne Ekenasio
Sulu Fitzpatrick
Maddy Gordon
Kelly Jury
Claire Kersten
Bailey Mes
Kimiora Poi
Katrina Rore
Shannon Saunders
Te Paea Selby-Rickit
Michaela Sokolich-Beatson
Whitney Souness
Jane Watson
Maia Wilson

[Ian Harkin]

#1309737

Head coach Dame Noeline Taurua and the national selectors have named a 16-strong Silver Ferns Squad and a Silver Ferns Development Squad of 10 who will work together closely over the next year 🌿🖤

See full details: https://t.co/aQZI44jKh4 pic.twitter.com/U8mbkCrRSG

— Silver Ferns (@SilverFernsNZ) August 25, 2020

[NettySuperFan]

#1309741

Interesting that only 4 of the 16 are shooters.
Also interesting that the whole of Pulse’s starting line up are the squad, minus Aliyah Dunn.

My starting seven would be:
Maia Wilson
Ameliaranne Ekenasio
Whitney Souness
Kimiora Poi
Karin Burger
Katrina Rore
Jane Watson

[al_ex]

#1309742

Wow very different team to what I expected especially picking the players coming back from injury. However NZL has so much depth especially in the midcourt so it was inevitable that players missed out. It will be really interesting which 12 she picks from this if there is going to be any Constellation Cup with this team.

[NZChampion]

#1309743

Oh wow what a strong team! Couple of injured players in there. But this is the 2020 and 2021 squad.

Well done to all the returnees and newbies! Jury, Kersten, Fitzpatrick and Gordan!

Gutted for Dunn, Elley, Penderson. Those fitness standards must be very high and against the best teams, we need the best on court. Noeline has a plan and I know she will work wonders with this bunch.

[mcleod]

#1309746

How can Kate Burley miss the development squad, and yet Mikaere gets in.
I’d have Mila R-B over Earle, and as for Pedersen missing out pfftttt!!!!!

[TACTIXSUPPORTER]

#1309750

Good squad. Gutted that Dunn missed out, but she will come back strong.

No Burley in the Development squad? Pederson also. Surprising.

[Baller]

#1309751

I’m pleased with the selection. Either you are meeting the fitness standards or are not in the top 16. I like that NT will be working with the wider squad so possibly some interchangeability later on.

Plenty of healthy competition for WA and C position in the top 12. Kersten may be a surprise for some people but for me she ticks enough boxes. She is fit, brings experience and has solid connections.

I see the team building around the spine of Ekenasio, Watson and Burger.

If they posed for the black dress photo, does this mean they knew before the final?

[TACTIXSUPPORTER]

#1309753

Squad looks strong.

But Noels is all about fitness…. and I am sure MSB and Mes couldn’t pass the current fitness tests due to injuries. But are included?

Dunn is a gun. I hope she can get to the higher fitness level in the next few months.

Mikaere over Burley and Tong :wacko:

Pederson deserves a spot in the Development squad at least.

• This reply was modified 4 years, 1 month ago by TACTIXSUPPORTER.

[NZChampion]

#1309756

Completely forgot about Burley! 😱 Yes she most definitely should be in over Mikaere!!!

[mcleod]

#1309757

I get the feeling Taurua forgot about Burley as well.

[englishrose21]

#1309792

Interesting.
I worry about the shooting end, seems strange to include an injured 31 year old? But I know she is a favourite of Noeline.
Happy with the rest of the team but the development squad seems strange to me. Elley, Pederson and Metarau should be in there. Hume doesn’t have what it takes in my opinion and has awful stats for this year. Also Faulkner is unproved this year. Does Metarau need to be in a starting 7? Hope she’ll move this year and get that because I can’t see Emeilaranne leaving Welly. Also I thought Elley was a standout.
I’d have had Tong in my dev squad too over Mikaere, she had an average season and she’s 32? What’s she developing towards?? I know she’s a Noeline fav too

[Bluebird]

#1309799

I’m surprised that Clare Kersten gets the nod ahead of Sam Winders.

[minkie]

#1309813

The 31 yr old shooter actually has a name, pretty disrespectful not to use it. Especially when you name all other players.
As for Bailey being Noels favourite, what a crock of crap. She wasn’t picked at all for Noels first and maybe second season.

[Maryann]

#1309817

I like the squad.

Not surprised about Kersten, even though I didn’t put her in my squad. There are a couple of long time players in this squad that I found underwhelming this season but we all know that just because they are in the top squad it doesn’t mean they won’t be replaced if they don’t perform.

Noeline is about fitness – as in when uninjured the players physical fitness meets her (the set) standards – and proven consistent performance.
Both Bailey and Michaela despite being injured will both be maintaining the fitness required hence their inclusion in her squad. Ferns are unlikely to play International games this season imo and by 2021 Bailey hopefully will be back raring to go, and Michaela should nearly be there.

As for Bailey being a favourite – what a load of rubbish. She had to go away, reinvent and improve herself in order to make the squad under Noeline. Just like Rore.

[Author]

Posts