NSW Swifts co-captain Mo’onia Gerrard has been ruled out of the Official Pre-Season Tournament of the ANZ Championship in Tauranga, New Zealand this weekend, 2 – 4 March.
 
Gerrard underwent an MRI today after sustaining a right ankle injury during the NSW Swifts training match against the Melbourne Vixens on Saturday night.
 
The MRI showed ligament damage to the ankle with NSW Swifts medical staff confirming that she would be unable to travel with the team to Tauranga and would need a six-week recovery time meaning that she would likely miss the season opener against the Adelaide Thunderbirds on Saturday 31 March in Adelaide.
 
Also missing from the NSW Swifts line-up this weekend is midcourter Vanessa Ware who is progressing well with her rehabilitation after undergoing minor knee surgery on Friday.
 
The NSW Swifts have named AIS scholarship holders and NSW juniors Paige Hadley and Gabi Simpson as the temporary replacement players for Ware and Gerrard. Hadley and Simpson will train with the team this week prior to departing with the NSW Swifts on Thursday morning for New Zealand.