12 Dec 2015

New Silver Ferns coach stamps her mark on side

1:19 pm on 12 December 2015

New Silver Ferns coach Janine Southby has taken little time to stamp her mark on the side, dropping young players Malia Paseka and Phoenix Karaka from the squad.

Shooter Paseka and defender Karaka have been left out of the 2016 New Zealand squad after both played in this year's World Cup and the Constellation Cup series against Australia.

Southby said their performance in the trials held in Auckland this week left her disappointed.

Southern Steel coach Janine Southby who coached the New Zealand team at the international Fast Five series in January.

Silver Ferns coach Janine Southby Photo: Photosport

"Unfortunately neither player has turned up in the condition we need them to be in so the message to them is yes, we think you are Silver Ferns of the future - but we need you to do the work to get there," Southby said.

Malia Paseka has been dropped from the Silver Ferns squad.

Malia Paseka has been dropped from the Silver Ferns squad. Photo: Photosport

Veteran shooter Cathrine Latu, who previous coach Wai Taumaunu left out of her World Cup squad, returned to the side.

Latu was both excited and relieved to be back but said missing out on the Constellation Cup was worse than missing out on the World Cup.

"I did go away (after missing out on the World Cup) and do a lot more work and I came back fitter, stronger and I played better netball and it still wasn't good enough... and I found it really hard to pick myself up after that one."

New Zealand netballer Cathrine Latu

Cathrine Latu is back in the Silver Ferns. Photo: PHOTOSPORT

Also back was the experienced Mystics defender Anna Harrison, who returned following the birth of her second child.

Eight other players from the World Cup squad, including Laura Langman, Katrina Grant, Maria Tutaia and Leana de Bruin, are in the 14-strong line-up.

Captain Casey Kopua announced last month she would miss most of the 2016 season, as she is pregnant, while Jodi Brownm who played in Sydney has retired from international play.

There are three newcomers to the squad: defenders Jess Moulds of the Tactix, and Storm Purvis from the Southern Steel and her teammate midcourter Gina Crampton.

Southby said the squad was an exciting blend of youth and experience.

"I've been impressed with what I've seen this week. Obviously there's still a long way to go and we'll start bedding down some new structures and plans in January, but we've selected an exciting mix of athletes," Southby said.

"We are at the start of a new four-year cycle, so while we are looking ahead to those major events it is important that we continue to build on the platform that was set this year."

The Silver Ferns are not due to play an international until August.

2016 Silver Ferns:

Bailey Mes, Cathrine Latu, Maria Tutaia, Ameliaranne Wells, Gina Crampton, Kayla Cullen, Shannon Francois, Laura Langman, Grace Rasmussen, Leana de Bruin, Katrina Grant, Anna Harrison, Jess Moulds, Storm Purvis

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