Losing year confirmed for Ferns At a glance
A Constellation Cup clean sweep would be the exclamation point on one of the darkest years in Silver Ferns history.
The Ferns are in a 2-0 hole against Australia in the annual trans-Tasman series after dropping both games across the ditch.
They will be desperate to finish a miserable 2018 on a positive note in the final two games in Hamilton tomorrow and Wellington (Thursday) with the Ferns already assured of their first calendar year with more losses than wins since 2009.
While few expected the rebuilding Ferns to capture the Constellation Cup for the first time since 2012, a 4-0 series whitewash to Australia would be a tough start to Noeline Taurua’s coaching tenure.
This season has been a nightmare for New Zealand following April’s dire showing at the Commonwealth Games, where they finished fourth and failed to medal for the first time. That ultimately cost former coach Janine Southby her job, combined with a damning independent review into the Ferns’ free fall.
New Zealand are guaranteed to chalk up their first year with more losses than wins since 2009, when they lost six of 11 games, including two to the World Seven. The following year, they rebounded to capture gold at the Commonwealth Games in Delhi.
In 1996, the Ferns also had a poor year, losing four of seven games.
Last year under Southby, the Ferns had an eight win-seven loss record, padded out by two wins over minnows Wales.
With two tests left to play this year, they have an embarrassing seven win-12 loss record. That Constellation Cup game three; Sunday 4.20pm start.
New Zealand: Laura Langman (c), Te Paea Selby-Rickit, Maria Folau, Aliyah Dunn, Maia Wilson, Gina Crampton, Erikana Pedersen, Sam Sinclair, Michaela Sokolich-Beatson, Katrina Grant, Jane Watson, Sulu Fitzpatrick.
Australia: Caitlin Bassett (c), Stephanie Wood, Gretel Tippett, Caitlin Thwaites, Liz Watson, Gabi Simpson, Kelsey Browne, Jamie-Lee Price, Jo Weston, Courtney Bruce, April Brandley, Emily Mannix.
includes a first loss to Malawi during the Commonwealth Games and three defeats to Jamaica. The Ferns had only lost twice previously to the Sunshine Girls prior to this year.
Bringing respectability back to the Ferns won’t be a quick fix and Taurua and her new-look side, which includes the returning Laura Langman and Casey Kopua, who is recovering from a foot injury, deserve a grace period.
Taurua took over from Southby in late August and is only in her second series with the team after taking charge in the September Quad Series.
She has a mighty task ahead to rebuild the broken Ferns with July’s World Cup in Liverpool the measuring stick to see how far she has improved the side and developed combinations and unity.
The Ferns showed patches of promise in the first two Constellation Cup matches, losing the opener 57-42 in Brisbane on Sunday. They were much improved in Wednesday’s second test in Townsville, trailing by one goal early in the final quarter (43-42) before an 8-0 Australian run helped them prevail 56-47.
Taurua said beating the Diamonds would be huge for the squad with several younger