Tutaia to miss trans-Tasman netball series

Long-serving goal attack Maria Tutaia has been granted extended leave and won't be available for next month's four-Test series against Australia.

Silver Ferns mainstay Maria Tutaia is missing from a 24-strong list of trialists who will battle for a spot in the team to play Australia in next month's four-Test Constellation Cup series.

Tutaia was granted extended leave by Netball New Zealand following the Ferns' silver medal-winning performance at the Netball World Cup last month.

Former Silver Ferns Liana Leota and Joline Henry have both withdrawn from the national squad, while Camilla Lees has opted to pursue her medical career in the UK and Courtney Tairi is still recovering from a ruptured achilles.

Anna Harrison returns to the mix following the birth of her second child, and fellow defender Temalisi Fakahokotau is also back after an ill-timed hand injury ruled her out of World Cup contention.

The trials run from October 4-7 in Auckland and coach Waimarama Taumaunu, who announced her retirement last week after four years in the job, will name her team on the final day.

The first two Constellation Cup Tests are in Christchurch on October 20 and Auckland two days later, with Melbourne hosting the third on October 25 and Perth the fourth on October 30.

Australia beat the Silver Ferns 58-55 in the World Cup final last month, although the Kiwis earlier upset the Diamonds 52-47 in pool play, their first win in nearly two years.

Trialists: Jodi Brown, Gina Crampton, Kayla Cullen, Leana de Bruin, Temalisi Fakahokotau, Shannon Francois, Katrina Grant, Ellen Halpenny, Anna Harrison, Phoenix Karaka, Casey Kopua, Laura Langman, Cathrine Latu, Bailey Mes, Malia Paseka, Jamie Lee Price, Storm Purvis, Grace Rasmussen, Te Paea Selby-Rickit, Samantha Sinclair, Whitney Souness, Sulu Tone-Fitzpatrick, Zoe Walker, Ameliaranne Wells.


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Source: AAP


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