Shooters
Cathrine Latu was the second name on the list after Casey Kopua. She landed 360 of her 384 (93.8%) attempts on goal for the Mystics during the recent ANZ Championship season, the highest percentage of any shooter in the competition. Her struggles against Australia in the past are of concern, but she is hands down our best shooter.
Maria Tutaia's return to the side will automatically make the Silver Ferns a better team than a year ago. With the goal attack out with a foot injury a year ago, the team clearly missed its deep shooting specialist. Has plenty of experience playing with Latu for the Mystics.
Jodi Brown gives the team a more than handy option on the bench. After a wobbly start to the ANZ Championship with the Pulse, she finished as New Zealand's second-most accurate shooter (82.2%) behind Latu. With 50 caps to show for the past 12 years, Brown also brings a ton of experience.
Ameliaranne Wells squeaks in ahead of Bailey Mes, Ellen Halpenny and Malia Paseka for the final shooting spot. It was tempting to pick only three specialist shooters, leaving Grace Rasmussen as cover. However, Wells gets the nod as a player with good footwork and the confidence to shoot from anywhere.
Midcourters
Laura Langman did not have her best international season a year ago, prompting calls for her to shift back to wing defence. However, regardless of where she plays in the midcourt, the 116-test veteran is always going to be one of the first names in the team. Langman is still the first-choice centre in this side.
Grace Rasmussen starts at wing attack in place of the dropped Liana Leota. Rasmussen, who has made 17 appearances for the Silver Ferns, is coming off a fine season for the Magic, in which she comfortably led the ANZ Championship in goal assists (236). Rasmussen has silky passing skills and good quickness off the line. She also adds extra shooting cover.
Kayla Cullen replaces the dropped Joline Henry at wing defence , adding height, attacking flair and athleticism to the midcourt. While Cullen played goal defence for the Mystics in the ANZ Championship, she has enough experience in the wing defence bib. Her ability to add cover at the defensive end is another reason to pick her.
Camilla Lees gets the nod over Steel midcourter Shannon Francois for the fourth and final midcourt spot. Lees has 14 test caps to her name and provides quality cover at both centre and wing attack.
Defenders
Casey Kopua (captain) was the first name on the list. While there are still a few questions over whether her knee will allow her return to her best, Kopua's return from injury immediately boosts any chance of the Silver Ferns winning the tournament.
Leana de Bruin starts alongside Magic team-mate Kopua at the defensive end. De Bruin is coming off another fine season for the Magic, finishing third in deflections (63) and fourth in intercepts (27).
Katrina Grant provides solid depth off the bench. The rangy Central Pulse defender has 61 test caps to her name and will probably see her fair share of court time, particularly to give Kopua's knee a rest against lesser teams.
Phoenix Karaka gets a well-deserved call-up as the fourth and final defender. Karaka had a breakthrough year for the Steel, before signing on with the Central Pulse for next season last week.
Unlucky to miss out
Samantha Sinclair (Magic), Shannon Francois (Steel), Temalisi Fakahokotau (Mystics), Malia Paseka (Magic), Joline Henry (Pulse).
