Teenage shooter Grace Nweke has been called into the Silver Ferns debut during the upcoming domestic series and three-test series against England.
The towering 1.93m Mystics attacker is the only new cap among the 15 players named for this week's fixtures against NZ Men, NZ U21 and NZ 'A'.
Nweke, 18, attempted (527) and scored (471) more goals than any other shooter during the 2020 ANZ Premiership, converting at an efficient 89 percent.
Previously, she had struggled to meet the tough fitness standards demanded by coach Dame Noeline Taurua, but her elevation to the squad is reward for improvement shown in recent months.
"What she's done over the last couple of camps has opened the door for her to be selected in the final 12," says Dame Noeline.
"Her shooting percentages are really high, although she still needs some work with regards to her volume.
"But she's such a massive target out the back, and provides a point of difference, great hands and, overall, great tenacity as well."
With veterans Katrina Rore, Bailey Mes and Temalisi Fakahokotau unavailable, Taurua has also brought shooter Monica Falkner, midcourts Claire Kirsten and Sam Sinclair, and defenders Sulu Fitzpatrick and Kelly Jury into a squad that last played in England in January.
The group will be trimmed to a gameday 12, with the three that miss out suiting up for NZ 'A'.
"We need to leverage off each other and put ourselves under pressure, so we can showcase the best possible product out on court for [the series]," says Dame Noeline.
"We even have players in the NZ 'A' that will shift to NZ U21, so I couldn't be happier than I am now."
New Zealand face England Roses in Hamilton next week.
Shooters - Ameliaranne Ekenasio, Monica Falkner, Grace Nweke, Te Paea Selby-Rickit, Maia Wilson
Midcourters - Gina Crampton, Claire Kersten, Kimiora Poi, Shannon Saunders, Sam Sinclair, Whitney Souness
Defenders - Karin Burger, Sulu Fitzpatrick, Kelly Jury, Jane Watson
Join us this week for live updates of the Silver Ferns' domestic series against NZ Men, NZ U21 & NZ 'A'
