Standout Silver Ferns defender Jane Watson won’t take the court again this year after undergoing an ankle cleanout and stabilisation on Monday.
Watson, arguably the best defender in world netball, was named in the 17-player Silver Ferns 2021-22 national squad on Tuesday, but wont play again this year.
Losing Watson for the four-game Constellation Cup series against Australia, starting October 13 in Brisbane, is a blow to the Ferns’ hopes of defending the title. Netball New Zealand are also hopeful of a Taini Jamison Trophy home series against England, which Watson wouldn’t feature in.
Features of the Ferns 2021-22 national squad included first-time call-ups for Mystics goal shoot Grace Nweke, Steel duo, goal attack Tiana Metuarau and midcourter Kate Heffernan, and Stars goal attack Jamie Hume.
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Mystics wing attack Peta Toeava was also recalled after playing her lone test against England in 2019.
Nweke, 19, who was born in Auckland and is of Nigerian descent, was the premier goal shoot in the ANZ Premiership, racking up 852 goals from 951 attempts at 90 per cent. She was a critical figure in the Mystics’ title-winning side who edged the Tactix 61-59 in Sunday’s grand final.
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Tactix captain Jane Watson looks to make a pass in the ANZ Premiership grand final against the Mystics.
Watson captained the Tactix in the decider and then underwent a cleanout on her left ankle in Christchurch on Monday.
She will be in a cast for the next two weeks and will be unavailable for the rest of 2021 as she recovers and works her way back.
Silver Ferns coach Dame Noeline Taurua said the surgery had been planned for a long time and now was the perfect chance for Watson to have a break.
With two pinnacle tournaments approaching, the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham in July, followed by the 2023 Netball World Cup in Cape Town, the Ferns wanted Watson at her best physically for those.
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Mystics goal shoot Grace Nweke and Tactix goal keep Jane Watson compete for the ball in Sunday’s grand final.
We’ve had this on the cards for a wee while, for a few months now, so we’ve definitely been clear on what needed to happen for her and gone through all the scenarios as to with her controlling and leading that as to what is the best scenario for her now, Taurua told Stuff.
Not only that. I think as well, to have that mental break is always a good thing, and to have a bit of a life and reacquaint yourself with home.
Watson had been troubled by the ankle issue for the past 18 months, but had been able to play through it.
Her unavailability means the Ferns would rely heavily on Karin Burger, Sulu Fitzpatrick, and Kelly Jury, the three other defenders named in the national squad, against Australia.
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Jane Watson, second from left, celebrates the Silver Ferns’ Constellation Cup series win over Australia in March.
The Ferns could potentially call on several returning players outside the national squad against Australia, including Phoenix Karaka and Kayla Johnson, née Cullen.
Karaka, a member of the Ferns 2019 World Cup winning team, became a first-time mother late last year, but has worked her way back, training with the Mystics and rejoining their squad.
Johnson, the wife of Kiwi rugby league player Shaun Johnson, is expected to return for the 2022 ANZ Premiership after also becoming a first-time mother. She was in Sydney with her husband, but Taurua said she was trying to get back to New Zealand and book a spot in managed isolation.
Taurua has long stated there is no divide between the Silver Ferns national and development squads. If players in the development squad impressed at their camps and outperform national squad players, they could be in the mix for the Constellation Cup.
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Mystics captain Sulu Fitzpatrick, left, will be a crucial figure for the Silver Ferns in the Constellation Cup without Jane Watson.
That means development squad defenders Georgia Tong, Kate Burley, and Oceane Maihi could potentially be in contention.
I’m not taking my eye off anybody. For all of them, whether they’re named in the Silver Ferns or the development squad they’ve got a foot in the door and I think we’ve proven over past selections that we are not afraid to take anybody within both of those squads, if they are ready and put their hand up.
First-time Ferns Nweke, Metuarau, Hume, and Heffernan had all earned their selection on the back of dominant ANZ Premiership seasons.
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Mystics goal shoot Grace Nweke is poised for a Silver Ferns debut after a tremendous ANZ Premiership season.
Metuarau’s mother Wai Taumaunu was captain and coach of the Silver Ferns. Heffernans mother Annette earned nine caps for the Ferns as a defender between 1985-90. Her Aunt Maxine Blomquist was also a Fern, playing 31 tests.
Taurua was thrilled for all four players, especially Nweke, who was one of five players sent home from a Ferns training camp in January after failing to meet fitness criteria.
I’m rapt actually from where she was to where she is now, the work she has done physically, not only in regard to her engine, but also in the gym.
When you look at her, you can see her ability to be able to take ball under two players and still be able to stand up. She’s made huge strides.
AT A GLANCE:
Silver Ferns 2021-22 national squad: Shooters: Ameliaranne Ekenasio (maternity leave), Jamie Hume, Tiana Metuarau, Grace Nweke, Te Paea Selby-Rickit, Maia Wilson; Midcourters: Gina Crampton, Maddy Gordon, Kate Heffernan, Claire Kersten, Shannon Saunders, Peta Toeava, Sam Winders; Defenders: Karin Burger, Sulu Fitzpatrick, Kelly Jury, Jane Watson.
Silver Ferns development squad: Kate Burley, Monica Falkner, Paris Lokotui, Oceane Maihi, Kimiora Poi, Mila Reuelu-Buchanan, Whitney Souness, Georgia Tong, Filda Vui.
*Several players were not considered for selection, but will continue to work with Silver Ferns staff in the coming months. These players include: Michaela Sokolich-Beatson (rehab of her Achilles), Bailey Mes (rehab of her knee), Phoenix Karaka, and Katrina Rore (maternity leave), along with Kayla Johnson.
Leading Silver Ferns defender won’t wear the black dress against Australia later this year following an ankle cleanup on Monday.
