Plenty of fire on show at Silver Ferns trials

The stakes are high in Auckland, with the Silver Ferns and development squads battling it out for Nations Cup selection.

The New Zealand side for next month's Nations Cup against hosts England, Australia and Uganda will be named on Thursday. Assistant coach Debbie Fuller said she and head coach Dame Noeline Taurua made it clear what they expected from the players.

"As we came into the camp, big intentions about what we want to do in England and how the Silver Ferns want to take on the Nations Cup. It's a great opportunity to test the depth."

Depth will be tested, particularly in the shooting end with skipper Ameliaranne Ekenasio opting out of the tour. Someone who might get a crack in her absence is Stars goal attack Amorangi Malesala.

"She's really honed in on a skillset that is a little bit sparse in New Zealand at the moment. Post Maria Folau, having Amorangi Malesala step up and take those long range shots is very refreshing for us," Fuller said.

Vice captain Phoenix Karaka's expected to take on the captaincy.

"If I do get the opportunity I've said to the team it's a collective. We've got this new opportunity for a new cycle so it's a great space to be in to grow the leadership within each individual," Karaka said.

There may be some more experience in the form of Shannon Saunders. The 90-Test midcourter has returned to the Ferns environment after the birth of her first daughter in February.

"I'm still hungry and I think that was something I wasn't sure of before I gave birth. It's good to be in the mix, good to be in the environment. I get so much support," said Saunders.

Something Saunders and the squad members are still learning is the new rules.

World Netball have launched its 2024 rulebook, with numerous changes. Some of the standouts include substitutions can be made after a goal is scored, the short pass has been amended and toss up's are gone.

International umpire Gareth Fowler said the players responded well during game play.

"It was quite clear they'd been briefed. A couple of surprises when the short passes were called but I'm sure people will adjust."

Fowler said player safety is also being prioritised.

"We've got no more cautions. We're bringing back advancing penalties, intentional infringements can be advanced up to a half a third. With more serious, dangerous play, contact to the head where there might be a risk of head injury or concussion that's a minimum of a two minute suspension."