Update: 11:06AM Canterbury netballer Julianna Naoupu never thought she’d attend a World Cup after the Silver Ferns’ door shut.
Naoupu will feature at the global showpiece in Sydney next month, but it won’t be in the black dress, rather the blue of Samoa.
She will be joined by younger sister, Jennifer, a defender, who will debut for Samoa at the Pacific Games tournament in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, from July 13-18.
Julianna, 25, looked set to play for New Zealand in 2012 when she received a call-up after an outstanding season with the title-winning Waikato-Bay of Plenty Magic side.
The national team’s medical staff advised her to undergo surgery on both knees, which ruled her out of taking the court.
Naoupu then had a wretched run after moving home to play for the Tactix, struggling with knee issues and a loss of confidence with her shooting.
She did not gain a contract with any trans-Tasman netball league franchise this past season.
An opportunity to represent Samoa came up in January with the Pacific Island nation in desperate need of a talented shooter.
Naoupu was put in touch with Samoan coach Marcia Hardcastle through former Canterbury shooter Shelley Norris, and hasn’t looked back.
She played her first game against the Silver Ferns at an Oceania tri-series in Fiji in January.
Samoa were thumped 89-23, but Naoupu said it was a thrill to match up against Silver Ferns’ defenders Leana de Bruin, Katrina Grant and Phoenix Karaka.
Naoupu is eligible for Samoa through her parents, father, Alaese, and mother, Kerena.
They moved to New Zealand from the Samoan capital, Apia, about 31 years ago.
Representing Samoa with her sister for the first time and hearing the national anthem would be a proud moment for the Naoupu’s.
“For both of us, it’s a blessing,” Julianna said.
“To be able to play alongside your sister. You get very few people, who are able to do that.”
The Naoupu sisters both play for defending Christchurch club champions, Kereru.
Julianna said 20-year-old Jennifer was both excited and nervous about representing Samoa for the first time.
Jennifer, a former Canterbury age-group representative, has also had a terrible time with knee injuries in recent years.
“She’s very injury-prone,” Julianna said.
“Because she hasn’t done much travelling, everything is all new to her. It’s good having big sister along to tell her what to pack.”
The Pacific Games tournament will be valuable preparation for the Samoan side before they head to the World Cup.
Naoupu said they would be aiming to surprise the strongest Island nation, Fiji, and take the Pacific title.
Samoa finished 12th at the 2011 World Cup in Singapore.
They have a tough group in Sydney with England and Jamaica both in their pool, as well as Scotland, who they will be targeting for a win.
Julianna is the only player with trans-Tasman netball league experience in the Samoan squad.
The rest of the team are of Samoan heritage and play their club netball in Auckland, Wellington or Australia.
Midcourter Brooke Williams played for the Western Flyers in the former New Zealand domestic league.
Naoupu has been a standout for Kereru in Christchurch netball over the past two seasons.
She was healthy again and over her knee problems, but said it would be difficult to break into the trans-Tasman league because she had played for Samoa.
“I’d like to get a contract, but it’s harder now because I’m an import. The options have slimmed down a bit.
“I’m just waiting for someone to come through [and contact me].”
