Making Comm Games final will be tough – Dame Noeline

Silver Ferns’ coach Dame Noeline Taurua says just making the final at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham is going to be difficult.

Silver Ferns’ coach Dame Noeline Taurua
Photo: PHOTOSPORT

The Silver Ferns shocked many by winning gold at the Netball World Cup in 2019 but the players available today are very different to the ones that went to Liverpool three years ago.

Dame Noeline took over the reins 11 months out from the World Cup and achieved a stunning turn around after the side finished fourth at the 2018 Commonwealth Games.

It was hoped that would mark the start of a period of world dominance but many factors have come into play since then.

And at the Quad Series in January, New Zealand were beaten by England and Australia and they only just edged South Africa.

Dame Noeline admits winning gold in Birmingham is going to be tougher than what winning gold in Liverpool was.

“At this moment I would say yes and I’ve been quite honest with people within Netball New Zealand that I think it’s going to be tough for us even to actually make the grand finals,” Dame Noeline said.

“I know the calibre and have been tracking players over in SSN (the Australian netball league) and also in Vitality Cup (UK league) over the last two years. We’ve done a lot of analysis on where players are at, also in comparison to where we are at and consistency of performance.

“Hand on my heart definitely at this moment of time I do feel that getting to grand finals is going to be difficult.”

But Dame Noeline said she was very confident in the planning and analysis that the Silver Ferns’ coaching team had done over the last two years.

“We’re very clear on the recipe for success, we know exactly what needs to happen in each campaign or nearly each game and the measurements around that for us to be successful or even to be in contention.

“At trials we will see the ingredients and see how players front up, what they’re capable of doing not only physically but also mentally and the loads are really important.”

Netball World Cup 2019 winners, the Silver Ferns.
Photo: © SWpix.com (t/a Photography Hub Ltd)

A group of 27 trialists named this morning, will head to Wellington for a camp next week from which a side for the Commonwealth Games will be announced on the 27th June.]

The trial group includes two Test-cap Australian Diamond Kristiana Manu’a, who formed a formidable defensive partnership with Silver Fern Kelly Jury at the Pulse this year.

The Silver Ferns will play in a Cadbury Series next month which includes games against the Aotearoa Men in preparation for the July 28-8 August Commonwealth Games.

Players need to pass a minimum standard in the yoyo test to be considered and Dame Noeline said she would push the last chance yoyo test as far back into next week as she could.

“Out of the 27 players there are currently five who have not met the yoyo standard, which is only one part of measurement that we have used over the last three years.

“We will push as much as we can to try and get as many players through but probably from where I see players at the moment some of them are really low.

“So unless a miracle’s going to happen …if they don’t fall in contention for selections then we will look long term for the build up for Netball World Cup.”

Dame Noeline could not have foreseen pregnancies, injuries, and Covid-19 disruptions that have had an impact on pulling the best team together.

The latest blow to the side has been the ruling out of defender Karin Burger to injury.

“She has been a consistent performer for the Silver Ferns over many seasons …she has been playing a couple of positions within the Silver Ferns and without her involvement this year especially at the Commonwealth Games it will definitely leave a gap.”

World class goal attack Ameliaranne Ekenasio is racing against the clock to pass minimum fitness standards.
Photo: PHOTOSPORT

Having lost the services of veterans Jane Watson and Katrina Rore due to pregnancy, the only defender left from that 2019 World Cup campaign is Phoenix Karaka, who was named in the group of 27 trialists.

In fact Dame Noeline notes the only players left from the 2019 World Cup starting seven are Gina Crampton and Ameliaranne Ekenasio, who is fighting her way back to full fitness after having her second child.

“You can’t replace that type of expertise and experience and knowledge as to what’s required at a pinnacle event at the international stage.

“It’s going to be different, it does make things really difficult but we have what we have and it just means that we have to work really hard and smartly when we are together in camp and our 28 days of training.”

The Australian Diamonds announced their Commonwealth Games side yesterday and Dame Noeline said Australia would be dangerous.

“I’ve been tracking a lot of players over there and know definitely where their current squad sits in regards to statistics.

“Like always we know Australia will be lethal. What’s going to be massive for us is we’ve got England in pool play and we’ve been beaten by them quite a few times over the last year and then to back that up depending where things go, in the other pool is Jamaica and their books ends are just phenomenal.

“The last three games going into the business end is going to be massive for all the teams.”

The Australian Diamonds also named an additional three travelling reserves.

Karin Burger has been ruled out through injury.
Photo: PHOTOSPORT

Dame Noeline said the decision hasn’t been made yet as to whether any reserves named will travel to Birmingham or be non-travelling.

“Depending on I suppose where players are at with injury and other things that we have to manage, will determine the make-up of reserves and the personnel.

“We also have to be mindful about Covid and what the rules will be over there in regards to someone getting Covid and how we can use replacement players.

“Overall we can technically name up to 20 in the team so there’s scope to name a 12 plus eight if those players as reserves are ready and capable of taking the court.”

Dame Noeline said picking a team for Birmingham will be the most complex selection she’s ever had to make.

“Mainly around that we are short on Test caps, experience. We have players that have been in the mix but not that international experience when the business end counts.

“ANZ has produced to some degree inconsistency of performance and whether it’s also Covid that has added to what players have been able to put out on court from one week or even from one quarter to another has been inconsistent.

“So we’ve take a different approach and really looking at the strengths of individuals and marrying that up with the game plan or the game style that we’re going to combat and it’s definitely not a one trick pony.

She said while having experience going into a pinnacle event was invaluable, adding some youthful exuberance was important too to keep oppositions guessing.

“It is very complex but I’m very confident because of the work we’ve done …now I’m just waiting to see what the ingredients are and what individuals or who will stand up.”

Players selected for the Silver Ferns trials are:

Kate Burley, Gina Crampton, Aliyah Dunn, Tayla Earle, Ameliaranne Ekenasio, Sulu Fitzpatrick, Holly Fowler, Maddy Gordon, Kate Heffernan, Jamie Hume, Kayla Johnson, Kelly Jury, Phoenix Karaka, Claire Kersten, Kristiana Manu’a, Bailey Mes, Tiana Metuarau, Grace Nweke, Kimiora Poi, Mila Reuelu-Buchanan, Shannon Saunders, Te Paea Selby-Rickit, Whitney Souness, Elle Temu, Peta Toeava, Maia Wilson, Sam Winders.