The national selectors dropped a bombshell when
they did not pick top curler Sean Becker for this month's New
Zealand Winter Games.
Being left out was particularly galling for the long-term New
Zealand skip as the event is being held on his home rink at
the Maniototo International Ice Stadium in Naseby.
"I'm bitterly disappointed not being there," Becker said
yesterday from his Kyeburn farm.
"I wanted to play in the Winter Games. I'm very upset."
He has been replaced as skip by Dunedin's Dan Mustapic, a
veteran of three world championships and a member of the New
Zealand Olympic team in 2006.
Also absent from the team that won a bronze medal at last
year's Pacific championships in Naseby is Rupert Jones, who
was unavailable for both events because he is scheduled to
have a hernia operation next week.
He has been replaced by New Zealand junior skip Kris Miller,
of Ranfurly.
The selection panel of Merv Jamieson (Naseby) and John Allan
(Auckland) did not pick Becker because he was not available
for the Pacific championships in Tokyo in November.
The Winter Games team will represent New Zealand in Tokyo and
selectors want to use the Naseby event to develop
combinations.
"Dan is our skip this year," Jamieson said.
"We hope that Sean will be available again next year.
"The Winter Games will give our team a chance to gel. It will
be a knitting-together period."
Becker has been in the New Zealand team since 1995 and has
been the regular skip for most internationals since 1997.
He was skip at the 2006 Winter Olympics in 2006 and competed
at the world championships in 1999, 2001, 2004 and 2005.
He has shifted from Patearoa to Kyeburn and wants to spend
more time on the new farm over summer.
He also has a son who was born in April.
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