Rore sets her sights on domestic return
Katrina Rore has not stopped since the Silver Ferns won the Netball World Cup.
She was given one day off to return to Wellington for Monday’s parliamentary reception, where the Silver Ferns’ efforts were recognised by Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and hundreds of school children.
But, with a Super Netball semifinal against Noeline Taurua’s Sunshine Coast Lightning on Saturday to prepare for, she was back on a plane to Sydney by the afternoon.
‘‘I haven’t even watched the game. I’ve had no time to watch the game. I feel like it’s probably something I’ll do when everything has died down, there’s no more netball, I have some time to myself; some family time and really get to digest what has happened,’’ Rore said.
‘‘It hasn’t sunk in because obviously going to Aussie and they didn’t win. Being back here and being reunited with my medal and the crew, there’s so much love between the team and we can’t get enough conversation in before we have to do other things.’’
Unlike most of her Silver Ferns team-mates, Rore has barely been able to put her feet up after the biggest win of her career. That is because she decided to accept an offer from NSW Swifts to join the team as a mid-season injury replacement for Kate Eddy.
‘‘I thought I could come back and have a rest and train or go to Sydney, so I thought I would go to Sydney,’’ she said.
‘‘To be fair it’s not totally different. It’s very competitive week in, week out, you probably don’t see the blow-out scores as much. I think it’s the same quality of netball but just a different style.’’
But while she is enjoying the chance to test herself in Super Netball, the Central Pulse captain said she has no desire to ditch the ANZ Premiership completely.
‘‘I’m really happy playing for the Pulse and I’ve obviously signed for 2020 so no matter what I’ll be back in New Zealand next year.’’
With Casey Kopua and Jane Watson preferred in the defensive circle, Rore spent most of the World Cup playing in the unfamiliar position of wing defence. But, seeing as she was dropped from the team after the disastrous Commonwealth Games campaign, the 32-year-old said she would have played anywhere.
‘‘I loved it. If it means wing defence equals World Cup gold medal then brilliant,’’ she said.
‘‘I’m still adjusting to playing there. It was a massive challenge but it meant I was fully involved and completely committed to learning a new position and trying to do everything I could to help us win. ‘‘I’m playing wing d, goal d and goal keep in Australia at the moment. It’ll be centre next. But to be honest I’m just happy to play wherever my coach puts me and I’m actually enjoying all three positions at the moment. It shows I’m not a one-position wonder and it’s quite nice to play somewhere else.’’
Kopua’s retirement should see Rore return to her preferred position when the Silver Ferns take on Australia in the Constellation Cup in October.