They’re a team stuck in reverse

Go with your head, not your heart and you just can’t see how the Silver Ferns will win a medal of any variety at the Commonwealth Games. Just look at the facts; they’ve won just three of their past 11 matches since October. Under Janine Southby’s guidance, the Ferns have won only 17 of 32 matches, including two victories from 12 against Australia.

They are a team that’s going backwards during a period in their four-year cycle when there should be progression.

The rebuild after the 2015 World Championships hasn’t happened. Look back to that tournament, when the Silver Ferns beat Australia in the pool play, thrashed England in the semifinals and lost by just three points to Australia in the final.

But gone from that team are Casey Kopua, Laura Langman, Jodi Brown and Leana de Bruin and the Ferns haven’t been able to make up for the loss of all that experience.

Yes, there is talent coming through, such Michaela Sokolich-beatson, Kelly Jury and Temalisi Fakahokotau, but they’re not there yet.

Losing Kayla Cullen through a knee injury is a big blow and you do have to question how this was dealt with.

She was originally ruled out of the Taini Jamison Trophy, but was then a surprise inclusion into the team that played Fiji and she was on court for three quarters, playing well.

But a few days later was ruled out of the Commonwealth Games. So it looks like she was pushed out there too early for a pointless game and caused further damage to her knee.

Either way, she’s going to be missed.

They are going to have to rely heavily on Maria Folau, who is also recovering from a knee injury, so her buildup has been limited, with the 31-year-old’s time carefully managed during the Taini Jamison Trophy.

Given the way the team are playing, it’s going to be a tall order to beat England in their last pool match.

They’d then play Australia in the semifinals, who are clearly the best team in the world by some distance.

Given how well Jamaica are playing, you would give them a chance against England in their semifinal, but if they do lose, they’d go into the bronze match against New Zealand feeling supremely confident.

Southby spoke about learning the lessons from those two recent defeats to Jamaica in Auckland, but there isn’t time to make significant changes.

Then there’s the issue of dealing with Jamaica goal shoot Jhaniele Fowler-reid.

The Silver Ferns were incapable of stemming the flow of ball to her recently and no goal keep in the world has a chance once there’s a high, looping pass going the tall Jamaican’s way.

So sadly, as much as it would be an incredible story for the Silver Ferns to win gold, it’s hard to see how there will be any delays when the team come through the X-ray machines at Gold Coast Airport on their way home.