Pressure on Ferns to fire
Development will be vital in Quad Series
No-one will remember who wins the Quad Series when the medals are being handed out at the Commonwealth Games in April.
The Silver Ferns will be judged on how they perform on the Gold Coast, rather than three tests against South Africa, England and Australia over the next week.
Anything less than gold next year will be considered a failure, even though Australia will start overwhelming favourites given their recent dominance over New Zealand and class through the court.
Silver Ferns coach Janine Southby knows the Quad Series is another important step in the road as they develop combinations, build structures and get a gauge whether players fit into their firstchoice 12-player squad.
New Zealand will be expected to beat South Africa convincingly in their Quad Series opener in Brisbane tonight (7pm NZ Time). They then face England in Auckland on Wednesday and Australia in Invercargill next Sunday, which should decide the series winner.
‘‘It’s critical for us leading into the big picture of Comm Games and then the World Cup not so long after that [in 2019],’’ Southby said.
‘‘We really need to have a great look at these players and see where they’re at. We’ve got lots of opportunities over the coming weeks for all 16 squad members to really put their hands up and tell us they want to be on court.’’
Following the Quad Series, the Silver Ferns are quickly back into action for the Taini Jamison Trophy three-test home series against England next month.
From there, a fresh 12-player squad will be named for four Constellation Cup tests against Australia in October, which should effectively be the Commonwealth Games side.
Several players have only been selected for either the Quad Series or Taini Jamison Trophy and have three games to prove they deserve to be picked.
‘‘I think this is their chance,’’ Southby said.
‘‘[Assistant coach] Yvette [Mccausland-durie] and I were talking last week and it’s going to be really tough to narrow it down to 12 from the 16 because there’s real competition. People are really putting their hands up.’’
Young shooter Maia Wilson, defender Phoenix Karaka, midcourter Samantha Sinclair and uncapped Central Pulse midcourter Whitney Souness, who is poised to become Silver Fern No 167 against South Africa, will all be replaced for the Taini Jamison Trophy.
In will come fit-again Kayla Cullen, who has recovered from a recent knee clean out, under pressure midcourter Grace Rasmussen, recalled defender Temalisi Fakahokotau and debutante shooter Monica Falkner.
Southby said they had been targeting smart decision making, ‘‘putting the foot down’’ when they were in the lead and starting strongly during the Quad Series.
New Zealand thumped South Africa and England in February’s version of the tournament, but were poor against a weakened Australia, losing 57-50 after falling
"We really need to have a great look at these players and see where they're at." Janine Southby
behind 12-4 early on.
Growing depth in all positions was pivotal leading into the Commonwealth Games and 2019 World Cup. Without Cullen, Rasmussen, the ineligible Laura Langman and retired Anna Harrison, the midcourt for the Quad Series has a raw look to it.
Centre Shannon Francois is the most experienced midcourter in the squad with Gina Crampton, Sinclair and Souness all new to international level.
Jane Watson, who was in sublime touch during the inaugural national premiership, Kelly Jury and Karaka are in a three-way battle for the goal keep starting bib, alongside captain Katrina Grant.
‘‘[We want to be] three deep across all positions, which at this point in time I know we’re not.’’
South Africa have beaten New Zealand just once in 29 previous contests when Irene van Dyk was representing the Proteas in 1995.
The Silver Ferns have won by an average of 31 goals in their six games since 2012, easing to a 70-39 victory when they last met in February.
Australia take on England in the earlier match in Brisbane.