Silver Fern Rore chases treble with Swifts
SYDNEY: Silver Ferns star Katrina Rore has the chance to complete a unique titlewinning treble in little more than three months when she lines up for NSW Swifts in Sunday’s Super Netball grand final.
The experienced defender captained Pulse to the New Zealand domestic title in early June, after it lost the season decider in the two previous seasons.
Later in June, the former Ferns captain was a part of New Zealand’s World Cupwinning team.
Little more than a month later, 32yearold Rore, who has won well over 100 test caps, took up an offer to join the Sydneybased Swifts as a permanent replacement for injured defender Kate Eddy.
Now, after just six games, she finds herself in another competition decider, up against twotime defending champion Sunshine Coast Lightning in Brisbane.
There was no chance for anyone to achieve the treble in the 2011 and 2015 World Cup years, as Australian and New Zealand teams both participated in the transtasman competition from 200816.
Asked what it would mean to win the treble, she said, ‘‘I think it would be ridiculous, to be honest!
‘‘I would absolutely love it, but the reason I’d want to do it so much is for this group.
‘‘This group works so hard and they are amazing. Our coaching staff are unbelievable.
‘‘Just being part of this team has been a real privilege. I feel very fortunate to be able to be here and in this situation.
‘‘This group worked so hard through the whole year, so I feel like a bit of a cheat just coming in and I’ve never worked so hard, but it’s thoroughly enjoyable.’’
Next Sunday she will be on the opposite team to her Silver Ferns coach, Noeline Taurua, and her longtime New Zealand teammate Laura Langman.
The Lightning has already beaten the Swifts twice during Rore’s short stint in Sydney and she pinpointed shutting down champion midcourter Langman as a key to her team winning.
‘‘I feel like Laura came out last week and had an absolute blinder, so I feel like she’s one of the keys to their puzzle.’’ — AAP