Lack of experience against Australia concerns Dame Noeline

A lack of game time against Australia for many of her players has Silver Ferns coach Dame Noeline Taurua concerned going into the Constellation Cup.

Game one of the four game series is in Auckland tonight.

Ameliaranne Ekenasio
Photo: PHOTOSPORT

The two sides have met just once this year at the Quad Series in London in January.

A lack of game time against the Diamonds was highlighted when Dame Noeline got the side together ahead of the series.

“At the first meeting I asked who’s played against Australia [for] four quarters let alone game to game to game and there wasn’t many hands up apart from Meels,” said Dame Noeline.

Meels is captain Ameliaranne Ekenasio, who is the most experienced member of the side, having debuted in 2014 and played 49 tests.

“I think that’s the exciting thing about these players that we have, it’s like a new generation coming through, they’re fearless and they work really hard for each other.

“We’ll see what it’s all about once we get out on court and we know how far or close we are from number one.”

New Zealand are the holders of the Constellation Cup after winning the 2021 series and this year bragged the bronze medal at the Commonwealth Games with Australia winning gold… but the two sides didn’t meet in Birmingham.

“We understand what’s going to happen out on court and know their style but I think there’s still work that we need to do in regards to consolidating our own strategy so it’s a bit of a balance but there’s an excitement that’s starting to well up.”

A number of the new players in the Ferns squad do face a baptism of fire in the series against the Australians.

“To some degree it’s a wee bit scary but the likes of a Grace (Nweke) hasn’t played against Courtney (Bruce) or (Sarah) Klau to this degree that we’re asking her.

Silver Ferns line-up for the national anthem
Photo: PHOTOSPORT

“We’ve got players who have never played against Australia back to back let alone one game four quarters …but what we know is we’ve got heart and we’re prepared to work.”

In fact internal competition could be the key to New Zealand’s chances in this series and also working towards next year’s world cup.

“I feel for the players in some respects because they serve each other really well but also there needs to be a competitive edge when you get the opportunity to wear the bib you’ve got to take it.

“So we ride a fine line in regards to that but I think with everybody the intent is pure, they are there to wear the Silver Fern and if they aren’t there at this moment in time they know that they will still have opportunities but also when I look at everybody we’ve got this young group that’s starting to come through and if they’re not ready for Netball World Cup we know that they’ll be coming through in the next cycle or the following. So it’s our preparation against 2023 but also years beyond.”

The first two games are in Auckland and Tauranga before the series moves to Australia for games in Melbourne and Gold Coast.

Silver Ferns – Constellation Cup:

Ameliaranne Ekenasio (captain)

Sulu Fitzpatrick (NZ leg)

Maddy Gordon (Australian leg)

Kate Heffernan

Kayla Johnson

Kelly Jury

Phoenix Karaka

Grace Nweke

Kimiora Poi (Australian leg)

Mila Reuelu-Buchanan (NZ leg)

Te Paea Selby-Rickit

Whitney Souness

Peta Toeava (NZ leg)

Elle Temu (Australian leg)

Maia Wilson