Silver Ferns coach Janine Southby suffered sleepless nights agonising over the new squad for the upcoming Quad series and Taini Jamison Trophy.
Monica Falkner (L) and Whitney Souness are presented with flowers by coach Janine Southby. Photo: Photosport
The 16 names announced today includes two rookies and a recall for Tactix defender Temalisi Fakahokotau after her debut two years ago.
The fresh faces are New Zealand U21 and Magic shooter Monica Falkner and Pulse midcourter Whitney Souness.
Upcoming matches against Australia, South Africa and England will provide further opportunities to expose players to the intensity of Test netball as the Ferns countdown to the Commonwealth Games in April.
Southby had to make some difficult calls but is confident she has settled on a good mix.
Her intention is to give the newbies court time so she can test them at the highest level.
"We've got to give these girls opportunities because until we see them out there we don't know what they can do.
"It's all very well doing it in New Zealand, but to actually do against opposition on court and under pressure and in another country or on tours is a new challenge.
"I'm sure they'll be a few nerves, but we do believe they've got the skillset to do it," she said.
Southby has had an eye on Falkner for a while and believed she had the makings of a great Silver Fern.
Monica Falkner of the Magic in action. 2017 ANZ Premiership netball match. Photo: Photosport
"We've seen Monica perform across last year's Beko, this year's ANZ and then in the youth cup, she really stood up in the final particularly against Australia.
"I thought she came on at half-time really calm and composed and she doesn't shy away from confrontation which is good," Southby said.
Both Falkner and Souness were so surprised they had to ask if Southby was serious when she called to deliver the good news.
The 21-year-old Falkner has just finished her first ANZ premiership season with the Magic and said it had been a whirlwind to now find herself as a Silver Fern.
"It's been zero to hundred. I played Beko last year and this is my first ANZ season and now I'm a Silver Fern."
"It's just gone really fast," she said
Souness would be keeping a close eye on the Wing Attack bib during the quad series where she aims to make her debut in the black dress.
Whitney Souness had an impressive season with the Pulse. Photo: Photosport
WA was not originally her first choice position but over the last year at the Pulse, it had become her favourite.
"Playing a lot of it this year, I began to love it and having Sandra Edge coach in the midcourt for our Pulse team was just awesome, guiding me through."
"But I do enjoy centre as well, a lot more fitness involved, a lot more puffing," she said.
The squad has a combined total of 420 Test Caps.
The Silver Ferns open their international season in Brisbane on 26 August against South Africa's SPAR Proteas in the Netball Quad Series.
2017/18 Silver Ferns Squad
Shooters:
Bailey Mes, Maia Wilson, Maria Tutaia, Te Paea Selby-Rickit, Monica Falkner
Midcourters:
Grace Rasmussen, Gina Crampton, Shannon Francois, Samantha Sinclair, Kayla Cullen, Whitney Souness
Defenders:
Katrina Grant, Phoenix Karaka, Jane Watson, Kelly Jury, Temalisi Fakahokotau
