Ameliaranne Ekenasio and Dame Noeline Taurua with the Constellation Cup 2021. Photo: PHOTOSPORT The two-time defending champions Central Pulse will be without their captain for the start of the national netball premiership this weekend. In a post on Instagram last month, Ekenasio said she had been struggling mentally and was seeing a therapist. Ekenasio missed last month's pre-season tournament in Ōtaki to freshen up following the Silver Ferns' Constellation Cup victory in which she played a huge part. Pulse chief executive Fran Scholey confirmed today that she remained on "extended medical leave" as a result of fatigue. Dame Noeline said it had not come as a surprise.