Vicki Wilson is happy with the depth in the 25-member net­ball squad.

The Fijian Pearls head coach said she would have a ‘great headache’ when she selects the 12 players for the Netball World Cup in Liver­pool, England on July 12-21.

With the return of ex­perienced campaigners like Maria Rusivakula, Taraima Mitchell, Matila Waqanidrola and Unaisi Rauluni, the battle for eve­ry position would be fierce­ly contested.

Seven overseas-based add­ed more depth, height, most notably British Army duo Alisi Nawele and Adi Bola­koro who both currently plays in the Superleague competition in England.

The others are Grace Ko­rovta, Tahisa Hunt and Caitlin Fisher from Aus­tralia and New Zealand-based Jacinta Lal and Adi Cagi Moi.

Also in the hunt to push their claim are locals and Commonwealth Games squad members Episake Kahatoka, Maliana Rusi­vakula, Laisani Waqa and Verenaisi Sawana.

“It’s a great headache when you do selection having this depth of players,”Wilson said.

“I’m more than happy to have that, have some pan­adols afterwards.

“So working with other two selectors, I will be look­ing at the squad and review their performance and monitor them regularly.

“We had some absolute quality training last week with the new group, got some new faces in the squad, great to have these senior players in the team who bring experience and leadership and they made a big difference.

“Una Rauluni brings back her silky skills. They pushed everyone; intensity was there right from the word ‘go’.”

Wilson admits the compe­tition will be competitive.

“That’s what we want to have depth, to have players work hard for their posi­tion in the team. With the 25 players we have depth across all positions thus creating a competitive envi­ronment

“Still have a lot of work to cover between now to July. I’m pleased with the start that we have made.

“Work ethics is high, intensity is there everything that we do, just have to get better and better each week,” she added.

The Pearls are scheduled to play six test matches in preparation for the World Cup. They will play three matches against Singapore in Singapore in April and three in New Zealand in June against the Silver Ferns.

The final World Cup team will be announced in June.

SQUAD

1. Taraima Mitchell 2. Matila Vo­cea 3. Laisani Waqa 4. Maliana Ru­sivakula 5.Unaisi Rauluni 6.Lydia Panapasa 7.Alisi Nawele(UK), 8. Maria Rusivakula 9.Caitlyn Fisher ( Australia) 10.Nina Cirikisuva 11.Asilika Sevutia 12.Alisi Galo 13. Verenaisi Sawana 14.Mereani Tuwai 15. Jacinta Lal(New Zea­land) 16.Tahisha Hunt (Australia) 17.Ana Cagi Moi (New Zealand) 18. Elenoa Gukirewa 19.Matila Waqanidrola 20.Episake Kahato­ka 21.Ema Mualevu 22. Merelita Waqanidrola 23. Adi Bolakoro(UK) 24. Grace Korovata(Australia).

-Edited by Osea Bola

Feedback: anasilinir@fijisun.com.fj