World News – UA – Live Updates: National Quad Netball Series – Silver Ferns v New Zealand A

13 minutes – Great defensive pressure from NZ A but Nweke ends up clearing for his first shot in a black dress

13 minutes – Faulkner sinks the first bucket of the match to give NZ Head

7:57 p.m. – Encouraging news for the Silver Ferns, as captain Ameliaranne Ekenasio is confirmed to start, an indication that she’s on the serious injury that left her in doubt about playing

We’ll get all the action live from 8pm as the Silver Ferns kick off a new era of NZ netball with a clash against Team NZ A in Palmerston North

A new era for the Silver Ferns begins Wednesday, as they step onto the pitch for the first time since legendary midfielder and captain Laura Langman confirmed her retirement

The Ferns take on NZ A at Palmerston North, part of a quad series that also includes NZ U21 and NZ Men

But with Katrina Rore injured and now new skipper Ameliaranne Ekenasio in doubt, the Ferns could lack leadership

« We’ll see how it goes tomorrow and we’ll just see how it goes, » said Ekenasio, when asked if she was going to take the short

Someone eager to get back on the pitch is defenseman Kelly Jury, whose last outing for the Ferns came during their disastrous 2018 Commonwealth Games campaign

« I have recovered to great shape over the past year and I just take this opportunity when there is space to occupy », says Jury

A potential starting place is up for grabs for the Jury, with the other defenders Rore and Temalisi Fakahokotau being excluded due to injury

« With quality players on the outside it really creates the opportunity for the players below it – the door is wide open, » says coach Dame Noeline Taurua

Kimiora Poi, who hopes to fill the void left by longtime idol Langman, is also pushing for a starting spot

« I think there are a few midcourters out there who are really looking for this job, so it’s really competitive in midcourt, » Poi says

New Zealand National Netball Team, Netball, Laura Langman, Sunshine Coast Lightning, Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic, INF Netball World Cup, Noeline Taurua, Northern Mystics