Keanu Darby will make his bowls debut for the Blackjacks this weekend. PHOTO: BOWLS NZ
Darby, who plays for Forbury Park, has been named in the Blackjacks to face Australia at the Naenae Bowling Club in Wellington this weekend.
He has been named in the triples and fours, joining established internationals Shannon McIlroy, Ali Forsyth, Finbar McGuigan and Tony Grantham, who will play his 200th game for the Blackjacks in the second round.
Taranaki bowler Briar Atkinson, 20, will also make her debut in the women's pairs and fours.
She joins Tayla Bruce, Selina Goddard, Leeane Poulson and Val Smith.
Para bowler Kurt Smith will earn his first cap and will join veteran Mark Noble in the para men's pairs.
Teri Blackbourn and Julie O'Connell will compete in the women's para pairs and singles.
North East Valley bowler Sarah Scott has been named in the women's development squad.
The competition, starting today and finishing on Sunday, will be split between indoor and outdoor greens in preparation for the Glasgow Commonwealth Games, which will be played indoors.
Bowls New Zealand head coach Mike Kernaghan said the series was important ahead of the World Cup in Hong Kong next year and the Commonwealth Games in 2026.
"Any opportunity to play at this level against great opposition is really important for us," Kernaghan said.
"Australia is one of the best squads in the world and we know we can be very competitive against them, so we're looking forward to a great competition.''
The transtasman series will use the format expected for the pinnacle events in the singles and pairs, while triples and fours will play the traditional 18 ends and 15 ends respectively. - APL
