Australian named in Silver Ferns squad

Former Queensland shooter Ameliaranne Wells is one of four new faces in the Silver Ferns squad to face Australia next moth.

The Silver Ferns have included Australian newcomer Ameliaranne Wells in their squad to face Australia in the Constellation Cup series in October.

Wells is one of four new faces in the squad of 12 after coach Waimarama Taumaunu axed two players from the unit which won a silver medal at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games.

Shooter Maria Tutaia (foot injury) and defender Anna Harrison (pregnant) were both unavailable.

Shooter Ellen Halpenny and midcourter Shannon Francois are dropped from the squad in Glasgow who were humbled 58-40 by Australia in the final.

Both are retained in a wider 19-strong squad.

Much interest surrounds the hasty introduction of Wells, a former Queensland Firebirds shooter who recently signed for the Central Pulse.

She qualifies for the Silver Ferns by virtue of her New Zealand-born father.

Taumaunu says the 23-year-old adapted quickly to the Silver Ferns' methods at a trial camp in Auckland this week.

The newcomers to face Australia in four Tests next month are versatile pair Bailey Mes and Grace Rasmussen, along with shooter Wells and defender Temalisi Fakahokotau, who are both uncapped.

Mes has been selected as a shooter, but can play other positions, while part-time shooter Rasmussen will largely cover midcourt duties.

First-choice goal shoot Cathrine Latu is included, having overcome a calf injury which restricted her at Glasgow.

Fakahokotau enjoyed a breakthrough season for the Northern Mystics in this year's trans-Tasman league.

"We were expecting some tight competition for places in the squad and we certainly haven't been disappointed," Taumaunu said.

Tutaia, who has amassed 89 Test caps since her 2005 debut, is included in the wider squad, along with Kayla Cullen, who has only recently returned to the court after a long period recovering from a knee reconstruction.

The first Constellation Cup Test is in Invercargill on October 2, followed by Tests in Melbourne, Sydney and Auckland.

Silver Ferns to play Australia: Casey Kopua (captain), Leana de Bruin, Katrina Grant, Temalisi Fakahokotau, Joline Henry, Laura Langman, Liana Leota, Grace Rasmussen, Bailey Mes, Ameliaranne Wells, Jodi Brown, Cathrine Latu

Other squad members: Phoenix Karaka, Kayla Cullen, Camilla Lees, Courtney Tairi, Shannon Francois, Ellen Halpenny, Maria Tutaia

National development squad: Malia Paseka, Jamie-Lee Price, Storm Purvis, Te Paea Selby-Rickit, Whitney Souness, Jo Trip, Maia Wilson


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