Fiji netball coach, Kate Carpenter has named a 22-member squad to take on Singapore and Papua New Guinea in the Digicel/Punjas International Series from Friday.

Carpenter will break the squad into two teams; Digicel Fiji and Punjas Fiji for the series.

Veteran defender Mere Neiliko retains the captaincy with ace shooter, Maria Lutua named as vice-captain.

Carpenter has retained most of her core group of players such as Una Rauluni, Alesi Waqa, Vaiti Waqatabu, Nina Cirikisuva, Taraima Mitchell, Matila Waqanidrola and Teimumu Vukinavanua.

Seven players have been called up into the squad after impressing for their local clubs in the Digicel Punjas National Series.

Meanwhile Carpenter says the presence of Singapore in the tournament will be a good challenge for Fiji.

“Singapore are second in Asia behind Australia, we are second behind New Zealand in Oceania. So it’s really nice to play against a different region. One thing that we can learn from Singapore is their intensity and discipline and obviously they are a world cup team so we need to keep an eye on them as well.”

The Digicel/Punjas International Series gets underway on Friday at the Vodafone Arena in Suva.

At 5pm, Digicel/Punjas Fiji will take on PNG One while Singapore takes on PNG Two at 7pm.

Digicel/Punjas Fiji Squad-Shooters- Una Rauluni, Maria Lutua (vice-captain), Afa Rusivakula (Capital Force, Suva), Taraima Mitchell, Nina Cirikisuva, Robin Vula (Stallion Starlets, Nadroga), Ili Cama (Western Heat, Nadi/Lautoka)
Centre Court- Asilika Sevutia (Capital Force, Suva), Alesi Waqa, Arieta Luvu, Losa Tuifagalele, Teimumu Vukinavanua, Raijieli Daveua, Vaiti Waqatabu
Circle Defence- Mere Neiliko (captain), Episake Kahatoka, Sera Dakuitoga, Atcea Qasenivalu (Stallion Starlets, Nadroga), Vere Sawana, Sereana Maragi, Matila Waqanidrola, Alisi Naqiri.