Silver Ferns Commonwealth Games squad unveiled in Noeline Taurua’s first match in charge in 634 days

Wednesday, 17 June 2026

Carys Stythe’s dominant ANZ Premiership play has seen her secure the hotly contested final defensive berth in the Silver Ferns’ Commonwealth Games squad.

The Ferns’ 12-player squad was unveiled on Wednesday with Southern Steel goal keep Stythe edging out 70-test veteran Phoenix Karaka and Parris Mason for the final defensive spot.

New Zealand open play in Glasgow against hosts Scotland on July 25, which will mark 634 days since Dame Noeline Taurua’s last match in charge in the final match of the 2024 Constellation Cup against Australia.

Karin Burger, who captained the Ferns to end last year, will lead the side with Kate Heffernan the vice captain.

Taurua returns to the coaching sideline after not being involved with the Silver Ferns last year. She was sensationally stood down for 51 days following issues in the high performance environment, dating back to a Sydney training camp in January last year. Interim coach Yvette McCausland-Durie oversaw the team in her absence.

The Netball World Cup-winning coach was eventually restored to the role in late October after weeks of tense negotiations with Netball New Zealand. Taurua did not travel with the Ferns for their Northern tour in November to minimise disruption to the playing group.

'When you look at the make-up of the squad we have a great balance of players who will be around for many more pinnacle events, as well as more mature players who are in the prime of their careers and delivering amazing performances,’’ Taurua said.

“This is an exciting team who showed what it is capable of last year. There is resilience, grit and genuine hunger within this group.”

Stythe’s standout play for the Steel saw her prevail in a tightly contested battle for the final defensive berth. She debuted for the Silver Ferns against Scotland on the Northern tour.

The 1.92m Stythe has been a key figure for the Steel, who will host the Tactix in the ANZ Premiership elimination final in Invercargill on Sunday. She sits first in the competition for deflections (62) and is third for defensive rebounds (19).

Mystics defender Catherine Hall was named in the squad, despite being ruled out for the rest of the premiership with a foot injury. Hall suffered the injury against the Pulse on May 9, but will be given every chance to prove her fitness and satisfy her return to play protocols. Hall impressed internationally after breaking into the Ferns last year, performing strongly in the Constellation Cup.

Pulse defender Mason will be the travelling reserve.

Midcourters Kimiora Poi (calf) and Mila Reuelu-Buchanan (knee) were also selected, having been ruled out for the latter half of the premiership season. Like Hall, Poi has been named subject to medical clearance.

Outside Stythe’s selection, the other tricky decision would have been around the final shooting spot. Martina Salmon, who debuted for the Ferns against South Africa in September, prevailed over veteran Te Paea Selby-Rickit in what would have been a close call.

Salmon was quiet by her standards in the ANZ Premiership for a struggling Stars side. She looks to have been rewarded for her versatility and what she showed in the black dress last year, gaining nine test caps.

Australian-based Grace Nweke, Heffernan, Kelly Jackson, Maddy Gordon, and Burger, all playing in Super Netball, would have been among the first names Taurua and fellow selectors Adrianne Hayes, Leigh Gibbs, Jo Morrison, and Gael Nagaiya, scribbled down.

Nweke, Heffernan, and Jackson return from the Ferns’ 2022 Commonwealth Games squad in Birmingham, where they overcame England to capture bronze.

After their opener against Scotland on July 25, the Ferns face their nemesis from the 2023 Netball World Cup, Jamaica, the following day in a match that should determine who tops the group. Jamaica beat them twice at the World Cup including the third-fourth playoff.

New Zealand finish pool play against Uganda, Wales, and Trinidad and Tobago.

It is understood former Ferns captain Ameliaranne Ekenasio and 52-test shooter Maia Wilson were not available for selection.

Silver Ferns Commonwealth Games squad

Shooters: Grace Nweke, Georgia Heffernan, Amelia Walmsley, Martina Salmon

Midcourters: Maddy Gordon, Kate Heffernan, Mila Reuelu-Buchanan, Kimiora Poi*

Defenders: Karin Burger (capt), Kelly Jackson, Catherine Hall*, Carys Stythe

*Subject to medical clearance

Travelling reserve: Parris Mason

Non-travelling reserves: Kate Burley, Aliyah Dunn, Tayla Earle, Te Paea Selby-Rickit, Peta Toeava