Rising star Kristiana Manu’a is out of the Super Netball season with an Achilles injury

YOUNG Diamonds defender Kristiana Manu’a has suffered a season-ending injury two months before the start of the new Super Netball season.

YOUNG Diamonds defender Kristiana Manu’a has suffered a season-ending injury two months before the start of the new Super Netball season.

Manu’a recently returned to Sydney from New Zealand where she spent the 2016 ANZ Championship playing with local side Magic.

Earmarked as a major talent of the future by Diamonds coach Lisa Alexander, Manu’a made her debut for the Australian netball side in 2016.

Kristiana Manu’a will miss the entire season after suffering an Achilles heel injury.

Sent out in the final quarter of Australia’s win over South Africa in the Quad series in August, Manu’a became one of the youngest players to make their debut for the Diamonds in recent years at just 20.

Manu’a last week tore her Achilles tendon in training with the injury requiring surgery.

It has ruled her out of the inaugural Super Netball competition which starts in February where she was to have suited up for the new GWS Giants backed team.

Kristiana Manu'a in action for Australia.

The Sydney club said on Monday it had no immediate replacement for the young defender.

“First of all we’re just devastated for Kristiana. I’ve been her coach for three years now and I truly believe she’s in the best form of her career — highlighted by the fact she made her international debut only three months ago,” said Giants coach Julie Fitzgerald.

“Kristiana is a terrific young woman. She’s obviously hurting at the moment as she was really excited about the prospect of stepping on court for Giants netball in our debut season.

“That said she will continue to be a vital component of this team and we look forward to seeing her back to full strength in 2018.”