Harrison calls for players to lift at Games

It won’t be easy, but former Silver Ferns defender Anna Harrison says the players have to find it within themselves to lift for the Commonwealth Games.

New Zealand enter one of their two big tournaments on the back of a dreadful buildup campaign, where they’ve lost to Australia, England and, of most concern, Jamaica twice this year.

Harrison, who played 88 tests for the Ferns over a 15-year period, still believes they can come away from the Gold Coast having achieved success, but acknowledges it’s not going to be simple to fix things up in such a short space of time.

‘‘I would sound pretty blase´ if I said it would be easy,’’ Harrison said.

‘‘Everyone’s aware that there’s a fair bit of work to do in a small amount of time.

‘‘So to that extent, that’s not possible, they can’t change game plans, but I don’t feel they need to.

‘‘It’s more individually getting that confidence back, understanding what your strengths are and you making sure, and the coaches making sure, that you’re playing to your strengths.’’

Harrison witnessed the Silver Ferns’ games against Jamaica last weekend.

In both defeats, the Sunshine Girls looked in command throughout and the Ferns weren’t able to come up with a way to shut out goal-shoot Jhaniele Fowler-Reid.

‘‘It’s gutting. I felt really sorry for them for a number of reasons,’’ said Harrison, who will captain the Mystics in the ANZ Premiership this season.

‘‘It’s horrible to lose, it’s horrible to have everyone on your back and criticising you.

‘‘I just hope that they can individually get themselves up and be really clear and confident in what they bring to the team, because everyone’s in there because they’ve got a talent, and it’s about being able to piece it all together.

‘‘My only hope and wish is that they get to the Commonwealth Games, that environment is amazing, there are incredible athletes around you and it lifts you.

‘‘It’s such a cool feeling there and hopefully that transfers into their game, they find the enjoyment and they get out there and put out what they can do.’’

Harrison played in three Games over her illustrious career. Her first was in Melbourne in 2006, when the Silver Ferns won gold, and she was with them when they repeated that feat in Delhi four years later. But she was also there when they lost to Australia in the final in 2014.

She believes the Ferns could benefit from being close to New Zealand at the Games again.

‘‘The environment and atmosphere at the Games is great, because you’ve got so many Kiwis there to support you, which will only add to the lift that they need.’’

It’s gutting. I felt really sorry for them for a number of reasons.