Veteran Silver Ferns shooter Maria Tutaia is satisfied the effects of a draining 2015 netball year have been shaken off.
Tutaia's back training with the Ferns at this week's trials in Auckland, after opting for time out from netball, including skipping the recent Constellation Cup.
Maria Tutaia said time out was paramount for her approaching next year.
"I was really spent after world champs in Sydney - Time of my career that I felt that I don't take anything for granted but I didn't just want to put on the black jersey just for the sake of it. You shouldn't feel that way and it's just how I felt."
She was at a loss to find her passion for the game, but some time out has found that considerably.
"Now that I've been on a great break, it's just made me want to be back even more. You don't really know what you've got til it's gone and that's what I was losing so I'm very refreshed."
Maria Tutaia says the biggest challenge now is meeting the demanding fitness levels for the Silver Ferns - a focus for new coach Janine Southby.
The 2016 Silver Ferns squad will be named tomorrow.
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