Silver Ferns light on defenders

Temalisi Fakahokotau’s season-ending knee injury is likely to benefit her Mainland Tactix defensive partner Jane Watson.

Fakahokotau is set for a long spell on the sidelines after she ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament in her right knee during Silver Ferns training.

It is a cruel blow for the 22-test defender, who was set to start at goal keep alongside Katrina Grant in the Quad Series, which begins against England at Auckland’s Spark Arena on Saturday.

Fakahokotau, arguably the best performed player and top defender in the national premiership for the Tactix this season, has been replaced in the squad by Northern Mystic Michaela Sokolich-Beatson.

Her injury setback means the Silver Ferns are down on defensive firepower.

Kelly Jury remains out after undergoing surgery for a shoulder tear during the national premiership. Returning Silver Fern Casey Kopua isn’t featuring in the Quad Series as she works her way back from a plantar fascia tear to her foot, but could be available for October’s Constellation Cup against Australia.

Wing defence-circle defender Kayla Cullen won’t wear the black dress in 2018 due to an ongoing knee injury.

Silver Ferns coach Noeline Taurua said it was a huge setback to lose Fakahokotau, who will not only miss the Quad Series, but the rest of the 2018 international season.

Fakahokotau’s Tactix team-mate Watson is poised to be the beneficiary from her injury, likely moving into the starting lineup at goal keep. Sokolich-Beatson, who wasn’t initially named in the Quad Series squad, has gained a reprieve.