Plenty of unknowns for the Silver Ferns
Captain’s future unclear at Tactix
There are some things the Silver Ferns know, and there are some things they don’t.
They play South Africa in Hamilton tonight in the second match of the Quad Series, which will be the 28th meeting between the two sides.
The Ferns have won 26 of the 27 so far, most of them by large margins - the one loss came at the 1995 world championship.
But while they will head into the game knowing a win is likely, they will also be up against a side they don’t know much about.
New Ferns coach Janine Southby said as much after training on Monday, though she also revealed they do have a bit of an idea what to expect.
‘‘We haven’t seen a lot, we’ve got the footage from their game the other night [against Australia], we’ve got footage from last year. We know that their shooting circle’s pretty accurate and they’re happy to shoot long, so we certainly know there’s some work [for us to do] in that space,’’ she said.
‘‘We know their middies can be quite unorthodox and they’re also quite fit, and they do things a little bit differently.
‘‘So our middies have to be prepared for that. And defensively, they’ve got a couple of really tall defenders with long arms, and we can’t get caught up in that aerial game, because that brings them into it.’’
Faced with a few unknowns, what’s important is for the Ferns to focus on their own game, and get themselves in tune for what is likely to be a series decider against Australia in Melbourne on Sunday.
‘‘We’re really trying to keep the focus on ourselves, that’s the big thing,’’ said Southby.
‘‘The ability to stay in the moment, read it and play what’s in front of us. We want confident players who make great decisions out there. And those decisions will change for every situation. So from a coaching point of view, it’s our job to work with the players to build their confidence.’’
While beating England by 26 goals in their first match of this era was a great result, there was still plenty for the Ferns to improve on, Southby said.
‘‘People may have expectations of us now, but from our point of view, while we’re happy with the outcome, there’s some parts of the way we did things that we’re not particularly pleased with, so there’s certainly some work in that space.
‘‘I think there was a few connection, pass placement at times was pretty poor, just reading what was happening and the type of pass we gave to someone put ourselves under a bit of pressure at times. And defensively we didn’t put enough pressure on through the court.’’
Against South Africa then, the trick will be to continue building on the performance against England while trying to give some of the squad’s less-experienced members some game time.
‘‘In an ideal world that would be fantastic to be able to do that [give debuts], but again, we have to lay really strong foundations for those things to happen,’’ said Southby. The Mainland Tactix have signed three further names, but foundation player and captain Anna Thompson’s future remains unclear.
After losing Silver Ferns shooter Bailey Mes to the Northern Mystics, the Tactix softened the blow slightly by adding two fresh faces.
They have snapped up out of favour Mystics’ defender Temalisi Fakahokotau and Steel shooter Brooke Leaver, who is a direct replacement for Mes.
Experienced midcourter Hayley Saunders will also return for her fourth season with the Tactix, taking their contracted players for 2017 to eight.
Former Silver Fern Thompson, who has been with the Tactix since 2008 and played in a franchiserecord 116 games, has not yet been confirmed, raising questions about whether she will be back.
If the Tactix were going to keep the wing attack-centre, you would expect she would have been one of the first announced.
With four midcourters already signed and eight out of 10 roster spots filled, it seems doubtful Thompson will return.
Netball Mainland chief executive Brigit Hearn said they had not ruled out keeping Thompson.
‘‘She is an outstanding athlete and person and we’re still working through with her next season.’’
Hearn was optimistic of retaining Malawi international Mwai Kumwenda, who has received multiple offers from Australia and been linked to the Melbourne Vixens.
Thompson could not be reached for comment, but in a text last week
said she was still deciding on her plans.
Hearn said the chance for greater playing time was attractive for both Leaver, 22, and Fakahokotau, 21.
Fakahokotau burst onto the scene playing two tests for the Silver Ferns in 2014.
‘‘They’re really looking for that opportunity to get court-time. They’re craving the court-time and a fresh start.’’
In a talented Mystics’ defensive end, Fakahokotau had to fight it out for minutes with Silver Ferns Anna Harrison, Kayla Cullen and youngsters Holly Fowler, Michaela Sokolich-beatson and Sulu Fitzpatrick.
‘‘They’ve got a couple of really tall defenders with long arms, and we can’t get caught up in that aerial game." Janine Southby