When the Silver Ferns squad for next month's Nations Cup was announced this morning, some may have been shocked by who missed the cut - but the reason for them doing so is all too familiar.
The Silver Ferns named an 11-strong side for the tournament next month having gone through trials in Auckland this week, with the likes of Maia Wilson and Tiana Metuarau, as well as Peta Toeava, all left out.
The trio are significant omissions given the Silver Ferns are already without regular captain Ameliaranne Ekenasio for the tournament along with defender Jane Watson.
But as she always has, coach Dame Noeline Taurua took no prisoners when it came to her fitness standards and the three players failed to meet the 16.3 mandatory yoyo conditioning test score - a benchmark that has been in place throughout Taurua's tenure.
"We have our standards, our fitness standards, that we're working on that have been out there for the last three or four years and those haven't changed," Taurua told 1News. "We know and the athletes know them.
"For those athletes, there are areas that they need to improve on but it's not only from the fitness standards, but how we can make sure that we don't injure them with the type of game that we play and that's really important for us and them.
"We'll take it on the chin as they will and hopefully they will come back next year better and stronger."
Wilson's axing in particular was a surprise, given her recent venture into the boxing ring to help with her preseason training.
Taurua said she was "disappointed to some respect" that top Kiwi netballers were still missing the mark with fitness after all this time but she was also "empathetic" of their individual situations.
"I will miss them because I feel that there is an element that they will always add to the mix," she said.
"I'll take it on the chin as I know they will and we just get on with it and celebrate the ones who are there."
One of those to celebrate is Stars shooter Amorangi Malesala, who earned her maiden call-up this morning after an impressive ANZ Premiership.
Taurua said she was excited to bring Malesala's game to the black dress, including her long-range shooting.
"It provides opportunities when you split the defence and it lives either Grace [Nweke] or Amelia [Walmsley] free at the back," she explained.
"She's been working towards this and she's a very smart cookie. She's had a really big year."
The Silver Ferns open their Nations Cup campaign against Australia in London on January 21.
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