Some Ferns have excelled in the ANZ Premiership domestic competition and against weaker international opposition. Put them up against netball’s benchmark Australia, and they have been found wanting. Fresh off a 3-1 series win over Australia, sealed with a come from behind 45-43 win in Christchurch on Sunday, Taurua couldn’t have been prouder of the improved depth in New Zealand netball and the way players rose to the occasion.
Kai Schwoerer/Getty Images
Silver Ferns coach Dame Noeline Taurua loves the passion and fire Sam Winders plays with. Sam Winders, unwanted for the 2019 World Cup and out of the Ferns for a 20-month stint, thrived as the starting wing defence. Winders, who returned in October s Taini Jamison Trophy series against England in Hamilton, produced arguably her finest and most steady performances in the black dress, marking Australian captain and wing attack Liz Watson.
Phil Walter/Getty Images
New Zealand s Karin Burger attempts to be first to the ball against England s George Fisher in October’s Taini Jamison Trophy series. Of those 10 starts, just four have come at goal defence – a position Taurua has indicated she will see significant court-time in against Australia. Burger did start three games at goal defence in the last Constellation Cup held in 2019, playing the full match each time, experiences she would draw on. Comfortable sliding between wing defence and goal defence, the 27-year-old is content in either role, as long as she’s on court. Burger and goal keep Watson shape as the Ferns’ first-choice defensive combination against the Diamonds. Fitzpatrick, who was a standout for the Mystics last season, will naturally get her minutes too and could start some games as they look to manage the three players over the series.
Silver Ferns coach Noeline Taurua
Photo: Photosport Ltd 2018 www.photosport.nz
The World Cup winning coach is currently signed up until February next year.
Dame Noeline received a contract extension offer from Netball New Zealand some time ago but admits she s a bit of a procrastinator when it comes to life admin. I was looking at that last week and thinking geez I ve got to move into that and it s all my fault and I ve got that on my to do list, laughed the 52-year-old. My intent is I m going to be there definitely so that s where my heart is, to be there for the next worlds, but I also want to make sure that I m the right person and that our sport is moving ahead and in the direction that it needs to. So, I ve just got to put the space and time to actually make sure those mechanisms are included, let s put it that way in the contracting.