Feisty Ferns have a point to prove
Comments across the Tasman predicting the Silver Ferns won’t make the Commonwealth Games final haven’t been lost on captain Katrina Grant.
Long-serving Australian netball administrator Lindy Murphy lit the fuse for a potentially feisty Quad Series clash in Invercargill next month by declaring New Zealand wouldn’t feature in April’s decider on the Gold Coast.
Murphy boldly suggested England, who have beaten New Zealand just four times in their history, would top the pool and go on to meet Australia in the gold medal match.
Grant returned serve, admitting Murphy’s remarks would provide added motivation as the seven month countdown to the tournament looms.
‘‘It lights a bit of a fire knowing that people don’t believe in us,’’ Grant said.
‘‘We’ve got each other’s backs and believe we can go through definitely to the final and win a gold medal. We’ve got a bit of work to do before then. I can’t wait to prove some people wrong.’’
The Silver Ferns are back in action in the Quad Series, starting against South Africa in Brisbane next Saturday.
They will face long-time nemesis Australia in the final game of the Quad Series and four more times in October’s Constellation Cup to close out 2017.
Australia have dominated, winning five of the six contests since Silver Ferns coach Janine Southby started in the job in November 2015.
Bridging the gap on the Diamonds leading into the Commonwealth
Games is pivotal for their confidence levels and the relevance of the sport internationally. Grant said it started with honing combinations and structures within the squad.
‘‘We definitely haven’t played as well as we should have. Aussie has had the run against us and we want to change that.
‘‘We know we need to lift our game if we’re going to come along and beat them.
‘‘We need to play some Kiwi netball and play the game we’re proud of and execute to the best of our abilities.’’
With former captain Casey Kopua, Leana de Bruin and Anna Harrison all having retired from the international ranks over the past year, the Silver Ferns have been shorn of 293 defensive caps.
Veteran wing defence Laura Langman is also ineligible in 2017 and 2018 because she is playing for the Sunshine Coast Lightning in Australia, further heightening Grant’s importance.
The 30-year-old, who is in her second season as national skipper, has quickly become the elder stateswoman of the defensive circle. Phoenix Karaka, Jane Watson and Temalisi Fakahokotau are yet to establish themselves in the international arena, while 1.92m Kelly Jury only debuted in February.
Grant has 94 caps to her name and is set to become just the seventh Silver Ferns centurion against England in Hamilton on September 13.
Replicating her standout performances for the Central Pulse in the black dress hasn’t always been a hallmark of Grant’s play. She was determined to lead the way at the back end of the court and inspire her younger teammates.
‘‘I think all of us bring something different. We’re all totally different players and have different strengths and weaknesses, which will play into our hands a lot.’’
Karaka is the second most capped defender in the squad with 15 tests.