Short Stint With Pulse For Experienced Australian Midcourter

Facing further injury setbacks, Te Wānanga o Raukawa Pulse have recruited former Australian Diamond Gabi Simpson as a temporary replacement player ahead of the 2025 ANZ Premiership netball league.

Midcourter Simpson will add cover for Maddy Gordon and Whitney Souness, who are currently working through their `return to play’ programmes following respective injury and surgery. Gordon suffered a knee injury during a pre-season match against the Mystics last month while Souness has been rehabbing after undergoing ankle surgery prior to Christmas.

There is strong optimism the Silver Ferns midcourt duo will be back in action early in the season-proper and, in the interim, Simpson will provide strength and stability in the midcourt until their return.

The third most capped player for the Queensland Firebirds with 157 appearances during a stellar 11-year national league career, Simpson also played 41 tests for the Diamonds during which she assumed the vice-captaincy.

The Pulse have used several of their Manawa National Netball League (NNL) players through the pre-season but with the shorter ANZ Premiership season (two rounds), it was felt an experienced player was needed to help stabilise the midcourt.

``There is no time to grow another player and while we’re grateful to the NNL players who have stepped in, none have done a full NNL season themselves and we needed some experience,’’ Netball Central Director of High Performance Waimarama Taumaunu said.

There was a wide search, including New Zealand-based players, before landing with Simpson, who will train with the Pulse for the first time today (Thursday) and be available for their Round 1 match against the Magic in Palmerston North on May 10.

The Pulse have already ready been forced to draft shooter Amorangi Malesala in as a temporary replacement for Khiarna Williams who is out for several weeks with a shoulder injury.

© Scoop Media