With the 1948 team largely selected on a regional basis for cost reasons, Thelma Turner, from the smaller Manawatu region, received a golden opportunity to play for the Silver Ferns in the three-Test home series against Australia.

Trask continued the trend of predominantly small shooters during the era. A goal shooter, the diminutive 19-year-old Turner stood at just 1.56m (5ft1in) making her not only tiny for the position but also one of the shortest to ever be selected for the Silver Ferns.

She had the distinction of shooting the first goal of the match in her debut against Australia in the second Test in New Plymouth.