ORIGINAL STORY by Chris Rattue
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Softball great Nathan Nukunuku says his "heart was broken" when he initially missed out on the Black Sox team to contest the world championships, which begin at North Harbour on Friday.
Nukunuku won a dramatic 11th-hour recall when coach Eddie Kohlhase reshuffled the roster to cope with the shoulder injury that will prevent captain and second base Rhys Casley from fielding fully.
The 32-year-old Nukunuku replaces the desperately unlucky Jerome Haretuku, a 25-year-old outfielder who had been looking forward to making his world championship debut. Once the tournament starts, replacements cannot be called in to the 17-man squads.
Nukunuku was a shock omission when the team was named on December 9 - just three days before his wedding - and no one was more shocked than the man himself.
The Auckland stalwart, who was on the world title winning teams in 2000 and 2004, said Kohlhase told him that while he still made great plays, his regulation fielding standards had slipped. Nukunuku set about proving Kohlhase wrong, playing superbly in two Ramblers teams and an All Stars lineup which beat the Black Sox.
"I was pretty pissed off - I felt I was playing well enough," said Nukunuku last night. "There was no way I was throwing the towel in, and with the world championships to be played every two years from now, I felt I could play in maybe three more.
"But my heart had been broken, I hadn't seen it coming, there had been no warning from the coaching staff. I was told that I didn't fit into the game plan. I wanted to prove a point. The Black Sox are my passion."
Nukunuku spoke to Aucklander Haretuku and said the player was gutted. "I feel for him but it is the coach's call," Nukunuku said.
Casley had shoulder surgery late last year and has aggravated the problem. His batting is not affected but fielding is another matter.
Kohlhase said: "Rhys is integral to the Black Sox and is our leader on and off the diamond. It's imperative we keep working to maximise his contribution. We were forced to make a difficult decision that would cost someone their place through no fault of their own."
While the Black Sox have had a defeat-laden build-up as they seek to reclaim the title won by Australia in 2009, Nukunuku said they had been facing top local players who knew their game inside out.
By Chris Rattue
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Two-time world champion Nathan Nukunuku has been called into the Black Sox as injury cover for captain Rhys Casley for the world softball championship, starting this week.Â
   Nukunuku has been included at the expense of rookie Jerome Haretuku on the 17-man roster as second baseman Casley has been battling for fitness since shoulder surgery late last year and aggravated his injury during last week's Dean Schick tournament.Â
   While he seems capable of fulfilling his duties with the bat, his ability to operate at 100 per cent in the field is questionable and Nukunuku has been recalled to cover that contingency.Â
   "Rhys is an integral member of this Black Sox side, and is our leader on and off the diamond," coach Eddie Kohlhase said.Â
   "It's imperative we continue to work with him before and during the world championship to maximise his contribution on the diamond.Â
   "He can still hit and we plan to use him as required during the tournament, but to cover the possible loss of a specialist infielder, we've added Nathan to the group."Â
   Outfielder Haretuku, in his first world championship campaign, has drawn the short straw to make way for Nukunuku.Â
   "Jerome has worked hard for his chance, and we certainly cannot fault his dedication and contribution to the team. I know he's disappointed, but I also know he's young enough to help us win world titles for a while to come."Â
   The Black Sox will play Czech Republic in a warm-up game in Penrose tomorrow, with the world championship starting on Friday at Rosedale Park.
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25 FebTwo-time world champion Nathan Nukunuku has been called into the Black Sox as a late replacement for the ISF Tradestaff World Softball Championship, starting this week.
Unlucky to miss original selection in December, Nukunuku has been included as injury cover for injured captain Rhys Casley and will replace rookie Jerome Haretuku on the 17-man roster.
Second baseman Casley has been battling for fitness since shoulder surgery late last year and aggravated his injury during last week's Dean Schick Tournament at the Rosedale Park world tournament venue.
While he seems capable of fulfilling his duties with the bat, his ability to operate at 100% in the field is questionable and Nukunuku has been recalled to cover that contingency.
"Rhys is an integral member of this Black Sox side, and is our leader on and off the diamond," says coach Eddie Kohlhase. "It's imperative we continue to work with him before and during the world championship to maximise his contribution on the diamond.
"He can still hit and we plan to use him as required during the tournament, but to cover the possible loss of a specialist infielder, we've added Nathan to the group."
Unfortunately, outfielder Haretuku, in his first world championship campaign, has drawn the short straw to make way for Nukunuku.
"Rhys' injury has changed the dynamic of our team and we were forced to make a difficult decision that would cost someone their place through no fault of their own," says Kohlhase.
"Jerome has worked hard for his chance, and we certainly cannot fault his dedication and contribution to the team. I know he's disappointed, but I also know he's young enough to help us win world titles for a while to come."
The Black Sox spent last week in a remote Northland location and have now re-assembled for the world championship in Auckland. They are scheduled to practice at White Park, Papatoetoe at 5pm today and will play Czech Republic in a warm-up game at Simpson Park Penrose, at 2pm tomorrow.
Kohlhase will be available on teleconference at 2pm today. Please RSVP to Grant Chapman by return email or phone 027 687 5373.
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