Ferns turn tables on Jamaica
The contrasting images couldn’t be any more different.
The Silver Ferns continued their fine start to the Nations Cup in Birmingham yesterday, routing Jamaica 71-45 in a game in which they won every quarter.
It followed on from an encouraging start to the four team tournament on Monday when New Zealand dispatched hosts England 64-48.
Victory over Jamaica all but booked the Silver Ferns a place in Monday’s final in London with a game to play, against South Africa on Sunday (3.30am start NZ time).
This was the Ferns’ first victory over Jamaica since September, 2016, with the Sunshine Girls having won the three previous contests.
In their most recent clash, the Ferns endured one of their darkest days in history, losing the bronze medal clash at the 2018 Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast.
It was a galling day for New Zealand netball fans. The Silver Ferns players were in tears at the fulltime whistle, consoling each other, knowing they were heading home from a major tournament without a medal for the first time.
There were severe ramifications with coach Janine Southby ultimately losing her job after an independent review into the team’s alarming decline.
The scenes were much happier at Arena Birmingham, with the new-look Ferns delivering a major statement in the lopsided win.
Dame Noeline Taurua’s Ferns produced an emphatic showing, refusing to let up in the second half as the scoreline blew out, producing a clinical display in every facet.
With usual captain Laura Langman and Katrina Rore rested for this series and New Zealand netball legends Maria Folau and Casey Kopua retiring last year following the World Cup title win, there was uncertainty how this group would perform in England.
They have been outstanding in their first two games, showing the future looks bright for New Zealand netball, even when Langman and Rore do eventually call time on their careers.
Under the astute Taurua, the Ferns are developing depth in all three areas of the court and have created a culture of accountability, where even in a blowout win there is expectation.
‘‘The long-term is four years and 2023 [World Cup], but we’re heading in the right direction and
I’m really happy by what we’re doing currently,’’ Taurua said after the win.
‘‘I think some of our strategies that we have been playing with, we’re starting to embed it and there’s clarity or clear understanding of what we need to do. I know every game we improve there’s something different and our ability to adapt is coming along quite nicely.’’
Goal shoot Maia Wilson is the
perfect embodiment of the brave new Ferns.
Handed a starting goal shoot opportunity on this tour with Folau now retired, Wilson has flourished having previously only seen sporadic minutes at international level.
After a promising start against England, when she landed 27/29 in two quarters, Wilson took it up another gear against Jamaica. She shot 42 goals from 45 attempts, her highest output for the Ferns, and has locked down the starting goal shoot bib for the immediate future.
Wilson is the fittest she’s been in her netball career, revealing to Stuff this week she was achieving 16.6 in the Ferns’ yoyo fitness test, and it’s showing in her play.
‘‘I’m really pleased for her and also her shooting percentages are really high. It’s amazing. The other thing that’s really standing
out for me is her strategic nous,’’ Taurua said.
‘‘For her to be able to back up from the England game was always going to be a question mark, but she pretty much answered that.’’
Wilson teamed up well with new skipper Ameliaranne Ekenasio, who converted 18/22 and delivered 13 assists.
Both Ferns shooters benefited from crisp, accurate ball from Gina Crampton and Shannon Saunders, who looks rejuvenated and is playing the best she has for the Ferns.
Defensively, it was another strong effort from the Ferns. They forced Jamaica into a whopping 34 turnovers with their relentless pressure and ability to confuse space on attack causing chaos.
Former Southern Steel shooting standout Jhaniele Fowler was a handful, landing 38 from 40. It was all very onedimensional and predictable from the Sunshine Girls on attack though and the Ferns feasted.
Ferns shooter Bailey Mes missed the game with a knee niggle, but it’s hoped she could be available to play South Africa.