Ferns winners

Maddy Gordon

Unwanted for last year’s Commonwealth Games and January’s Quad Series, Gordon needed a breakout season to make the World Cup squad. She was the form centre in the ANZ Premiership. Able to play all three midcourt roles, her versatility will be an asset at the World Cup.

Whitney Souness

Some felt spending the ANZ Premiership season at wing attack for the Pulse could have hurt Souness’ World Cup prospects. It’s no secret Taurua prefers her in the centre bib. Souness offers spark and energy off the bench.

Mila Reuelu-buchanan

Reuelu-buchanan was a name that cropped up as a fringe World Cup midcourt contender. The Stars centre, who has played three tests, leapfrogged Peta Toeava for one of the three travelling reserve roles.

Losers Peta Toeava

No player was more unlucky than Mystics wing attack Toeava. A specialist wing attack, only being able to contribute in one position ultimately hurt her chances. Finding a way to get incumbent wing attack Gina Crampton and Toeava both into the 12 was always going to be challenging.

Michaela SokolichBeatson

Sokolich-beatson was the best performed wing defence in the ANZ Premiership for the Mystics, but there was no way to fit her into the Cup squad.

Elle Temu

Temu would have been among a group of players scrapping it out for the travelling reserve defensive spot. The selectors decided to go for the vast experience of 27-test Fern Sulu Fitzpatrick.