THIS weekend international netball returns, with the Taini Jamison Trophy being contested again in New Zealand. In the lead up to the series, Rookie Me Central are going to be taking a deep dive into this series, beginning today with hosts New Zealand.

This Taini Jamison Trophy series can be the start of a reset for the Silver Ferns.

This year’s World Cup was just about as disastrous as it could have gotten for the Kiwis, going from reigning world champions to not even medalling. New Zealand will want to make sure it does not continue to slip backwards and further away from their biggest rivals.

That is why this series is crucial. Against a more inexperienced English side, the Silver Ferns can take a look at what went so wrong at the World Cup and begin the process to get back to being the feared side they can be.

Unlike the English, experience is not a problem for the Silver Ferns, with much of this squad the same squad that went to the World Cup and plenty of other previous tournaments.

However, there is one new face and it is certainly a big series for that new face, Amelia Walmsley.

Promoted to the Silver Ferns set up after a strong domestic season with the Central Pulse, Walmsley has a huge opportunity in front of her to really prove herself. She does not have Grace Nweke to battle for court time with as the other shooter of a similar ilk to her, so she has a huge opportunity to stake a claim in Silver Ferns’ squads moving forward.

In many ways it is also a big series for Maia Wilson and Tiana Metuarau. Consistently stuck behind a few others in the pecking order in terms of getting court time, without some of those big name rivals there, they both have a good opportunity to really prove themselves to.

Then there is those who do not exactly need to prove themselves but still are ones to watch. Kelly Jury continues to go from strength to strength and play with a confidence and experience well beyond her years, and Jane Watson and Karin Burger will have an opportunity to translate their strong partnership on the domestic court to the international stage.

New Zealand Squad for Taini Jamison Trophy

Karin Burger, Ameliaranne Ekenasio, Maddy Gordon, Kate Heffernan, Kelly Jury, Phoenix Karaka, Tiana Metuarau, Mila Reuelu-Buchanan, Whitney Souness, Amelia Walmsley, Jane Watson, Maia Wilson

Taini Jamison Trophy 2023 Fixture

Sunday 24 September – Christchurch Arena, Christchurch

Wednesday 27 September – Te Rauparaha Arena, Porirua

Saturday 30 September – GLOBOX Arena, Hamilton