Diamonds defender Jo Weston has been ruled out of this month’s Quad Series tournament in a massive blow to Australia’s chances of reclaiming the title.
The star defender suffered a calf injury after the 14-player Diamonds squad came into camp earlier this month ahead of the trip to Cape Town.
In Weston’s place will be Lightning defender Tara Hinchliffe for her first official trip to South Africa after a stellar Fast5 series in the green and gold.
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Coach Stacey Marinkovich confirmed Weston would remain home in Australia to continue her rehabilitation, describing the calf complaint as “minor”.
But it’s a big blow for the Diamonds, considering Weston was crucial to the team’s Constellation Cup and England Series victories.
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Weston missed the New Zealand of the Constellation Cup – where Australia lost both games to the Silver Ferns.
But her immediate inclusion back into the side, after fellow defender Sunday Aryang suffered her own calf strain in that series, paid off as the Aussies won both games on home soil to take the series on goal differential.
It’s the second time Weston has endured a tough Diamonds camp in the space of less than a year, after testing positive for Covid days out from the flight to Birmingham for the Commonwealth Games.
Weston was left behind in Perth as teammates headed overseas, but was luckily able to re-join the team in time for their successful gold medal campaign.
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Marinkovich said Weston’s injury opened up a big opportunity for the 185cm Hinchliffe, who only recently returned from her ACL injury.
“Tara has been included in the Netball Quad Series tour squad after taking opportunities with the Australian Development Squad and last year’s Fast5 Netball World Series team,” she said.
“Tara is a versatile defender, and she will add coverage across the goal keeper and goal defence positions.”
The Diamonds will take on England, South Africa and New Zealand in this month’s Quad Series, starting from January 22.
