Jury returned to the Silver Ferns squad for the Taini Jamison Trophy series against England in Hamilton late last year and impressed.
Not having Jury for the Constellation Cup would hinder the Ferns’ defensive depth and present a major opportunity for Burger and Fitzpatrick – who are yet to establish themselves as Ferns starters.
Several young premiership defenders are not yet ready for the step up to international netball, while others haven’t met strength and conditioning standards, or are coming back from injury.
The Ferns usually carry four circle defenders in their 12 for series or tournaments, but Stuff understands they may be forced to go with three for the Constellation Cup.
It wouldn’t be the first time coach Dame Noeline Taurua has had to deal with positional shortages.
Taurua was limited to four available shooters for the 2019 Netball World Cup squad after several contenders were scratched because they couldn’t meet fitness regulations.
With 48-test cap Watson expected to start at goal keep, her new Tactix team-mate Burger, who has moved south from the Central Pulse, shapes as the first-choice goal defence.
Taurua could mix her defence end around, depending on what combinations Australia go with, or their own game plan.
Burger could slide to wing defence, where she has played extensively, with Fitzpatrick and Watson at the back.
Taurua hinted Burger would get her chance to impress at goal defence against Australia as the Ferns’ long-term focus turns to the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.
The Ferns were keen to use Burger at goal defence, alongside Watson, against England to close out 2020, but she was on a managed workload with a calf injury. Burger played 27, 38, and 53 minutes across the three games, mostly at wing defence.
The Constellation Cup looms as a crunch series for Burger and several other Ferns trying to enhance their starting seven claims.
“I think this is a great opportunity for her to push that. She’s such a dynamic player and a ball-getter,” Taurua said.
“Like always when you play up against Australia it’s a good tester to see what her skillset is. From what I saw at camp she’s ready to get out there. She definitely will be on court [against Australia] and I can’t wait.”
Midcourter Claire Kersten was a standout against England, winning the starting centre bib from Shannon Saunders late in the series.
Kersten deserved to remain in the starting seven, but the Ferns’ defensive issues could force a rethink with the 31-year-old capable of switching to wing defence, where she is equally comfortable.
Sam Winders, who was recalled for the England series, is another starting option at wing defence.
New Zealand have captured the Constellation Cup just once in 2012, since it was established in 2010.
The Ferns didn’t square off against their fiercest rival in 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic and Taurua said they desperately wanted to reclaim the trophy.
“2012 was the last time we won Constellation Cup, so to be honest that’s in the forefront of my mind is to win that cup.
“The second thing is to build depth, so with the players I have available to me in the Silver Ferns squad, I need to be able to test them out this year and put them out on court. I need to see if players are ready basically.”
