Little time for Ferns to patch their leaks
The Silver Ferns were beaten comprehensively, 53-39, by Australia in their opening game of the netball Quad Series in London. Australia led by nine at halftime, but extended that to 18 goals by threequarter time.
“I’d consider that a hiding, it could have gone more so there is a lot of work that we need to do,” said coach Dame Noeline Taurua.
“We just need to take it on the chin and move on.”
The Ferns started with Maia Wilson and Tiana Metuarau in the shooting circle with Gina Crampton, Sam Winders and Kayla Johnson in the midcourt and Karin Burger and Sulu Fitzpatrick in defence.
Johnson, a new mother, marked her return for the first time in nearly four years by getting the nod to start at wing defence while goal attack Metuarau got her first taste of playing Australia.
Taurua did make regular changes throughout the game as she assessed her squad ahead of this year’s Commonwealth Games.
Australia shot 90 pe rcent, while New Zealand shot 80 per cent.
The Silver Ferns delivered a more promising second half but were on the back foot early which hampered any recovery as Australia maintained a forceful presence.
“We got a schooling from Australia today,” Taurua said afterwards.
“They were very good and in the first five or 10 minutes we coughed up a lot of ball and when that happens you’re always on the back foot, that’s what happened today.
“There were some good moments. “Defensively, in the second half we were able to turn over some ball and were quite structured but, in the attack end, we weren’t able to do the job in our own positions.”
The Silver Ferns were to play England in their second game earlier this morning.
The hosts opened the tournament with a 71-47 win over South Africa.
— RNZ