Silver Ferns WC squad predictions

[tasman]

#1359160

Agree Karaka can be disruptive in WD. I would try her against the likes of England or Jamaica, to try and get the arms over the WAs and disrupt the delivery in to the likes of Fowler or Cardwell. But I don’t think she could match up well enough on Watson for a full 60mins.

For Australia, my starting 7 would be Nweke, Ekenasio, Crampton, Souness, Heffernan, Burger, Watson. If required, Toeava as impact player in WA as direct swap for Crampton, and Jury as impact player in GK, then moving up Watson or bringing on Karaka at GD, Burger sliding to WD and Heffernan in to C and Souness coming off.

[mcleod]

#1359161

I hope they do a live naming on telly like 4 years ago. It’s going to be a interesting team, and maybe a WTF, her, what, why, hmmmm moments I feel.

[Maryann]

#1359199

Midcourt I have no idea.

Defence – Jury/Karaka/Burger/Watson. Watson to come out to GD at times. Sokolich-Beatson as replacement
Shooting – Nweke/Ekenasio/Wilson (to play GA during lesser, if such thing, games). Mes/TPSR to be the remaining two, one as a replacement

• This reply was modified 6 months, 4 weeks ago by Maryann.

[steelsupporter84]

#1359299

Holy moly, this is the toughest Silver Ferns team to pick.

Defensively I have questions over Phoenix K, against a fast and crafty GA she goes missing and gives away to many contacts. Watson, Burger Jury are locked in. I would almost take MSB instead of Karaka. Midcourt I would take Gordon and Souness they play together and have connections. I only see Souness as a C against weaker teams but she can cover WA when Crampton needs a break.

So I would take
Defence
Watson, Jury, Burger, MSB
Midcourt
Crampton, Heffernan, Gordon, Souness
Shooters
Grace, Eke, Mes, TPSR or Wilson
Reserves
PETA, Wilson or TPSR, Karaka

[Maryann]

#1359302

I’m definitely not sold on Toeava. She grates the umpires with her persistent off side, gives away a number of contacts and while she can be great with the long bombs and feeds she also goes missing and gives soft turnovers.
MSB could well replace Karaka giving a second GD/WD slide option. She was absolutely nuggety today and she is very good at bringing ball up court.

[museboy]

#1359304

I’m not sold on Toeava either. She has speccy feeds like can get neutralised in games by ‘Aussie’ style WDs like Iaone.

[nakiboy80]

#1359310

Awesome that we have so many legitimate options.

Shooters – Nweke and Ekenasio are lock-ins. Personally I would also have Mes (form and combination with Ekenasio) and Wilson (Form and combination with Crampton), although I can understand why they’d go with Selby-Rickitt. It seems like a mix with TPSR in there, but instead of who? I’m not sure. Metuarau has got better as the season has gone on, but her dynamic movement still seems to be lacking.

Midcourt – I have changed my mind so many times over the past few weeks. Personally I would take Crampton, Gordon and Heffernan for sure. The last place goes to one of Toeava, Souness or Reulu-Buchanan. All three have absolute strengths and have a great combination with someone else in the squad (Toeava —> Nweke, Souness —> Gordon and MRB —> Crampton. For me, it’s probably Souness as a C/WA

Defence – Watson (if she is fit), Jury and Burger are definites. I assumed that Karaka would be the 4th ahead of Fitzpatrick (who’s off-court strengths are almost as important as her on-court prowess) but I liked how someone mentioned Sokolich-Beatson earlier and I quite like that idea.

They key is having a line-up that can nullify the Jamaican attack end (Heffernan, Burger, Watson, Jury) and one that can stop the Diamonds front line (Gordon, Heffernan, Burger, Watson).

Summary (if I was selecting)

Nweke, Mes, Ekenasio, Wilson
Crampton, Gordon, Heffernan, Souness
Burger, Jury, Watson, Karaka / MSB

Plus – TPSR / Reulu-Buchanan / Fitzpatrick

Exciting times !

[TB]

#1359318

Gordon struggles on the feed, especially with an Aus defence. She struggled in the Constellation cup.
She shines in the ANZP, cause she doesn’t have anyone that has that tight man on marking and the strong hands over.

Midcourters that have proved they can feed at international level (in particular against Aus) are Crampton, Toeava, Heffernan, Souness and Poi (at C). I wouldn’t consider any one else outside that 5.

• This reply was modified 6 months, 4 weeks ago by TB.

[mcleod]

#1359321

I wonder if Noels will take a player that will only play WD, like Rore 4 years ago, say MSB.
And if so that most likely rules out Toeava.
2 x WA’s and 1 x C is not a option. Remember Mes had stints at WA in Liverpool.

[Maryann]

#1359322

I actually wonder if Bayley has even put her name into the mix. If she thinks that her body won’t stand up to the extra fitness level required, or that there is someone who can contribute more than she then she won’t. She was the one that made herself unavailable for the squads last selection, it wasn’t that she missed out.

I was thinking about how she played WA at Liverpool.

As McLeod says 1xC is definitely not an option, look how badly it works at ANZ level even.

[minkie]

#1359339

Maryann you obviously know Bailey very well as you’re 100% correct. She wants nothing but for the Silver Ferns to win, at any cost, even her own.
She’ll never let on to anyone even her closet family what her intentions are. As for not making herself available, yeah I mentioned it but whose going to believe me, I know Noel’s tried talking her out of it.
I’m still very much on the fence re her selection as know the competition is damn tough and know obviously how quick the public can turn. Team pickings will be interesting, don’t envy Noel’s.

[Kat]

#1359369

I agree with you TB regarding Gordan. A fabulous ANZ player but not always translated to a fabulous Silver Fern Player.

It will be interesting to see who Noeline picks.

Hope that the Silver Ferns win the world cup again, but there is some tough competition out there. The Jamaicans and the English players in the SSN are looking good. Will be interesting to see how this translate to their teams.

[Maryann]

#1359370

@Kat – I think Jamaica could take the World Cup – barring injuries, and if Sterling comes out to play in all the games. Its probably her game demeanour but sometimes she looks like she’s just going to pick and choose what she decides to go for. Think standing in the Goal circle, legs crossed hand on hip, as relaxed as.
I know she’s a brilliant player, I guess its better than being fired right up with nervous energy :)

[sarahk90]

#1359374

When are the other countries announcing their squads/teams? Super keen to see England and NZ. Will they just announce the team straight away or are they likely to do something similar to Aus and announce the squad they’ll be picking from

[minkie]

#1359377

No idea Sarah and yeah I think if Jamaica is all fired up, they’ll win

[Author]

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