Silver Ferns can be more ruthless — Taurua AT A GLANCE
Noeline Taurua set the bar high in the first year as coach of the Silver Ferns. Now she wants to lift it.
As she plotted the path to July’s Netball World Cup win, their first since 2003, Taurua made it clear what she expected of the country’s netballers, especially when it came to fitness.
Now, with the cup in Netball New Zealand’s trophy cabinet until at least 2023, she wants to raise expectations higher, even if she might only be around until the end of January.
Between now and then, the Ferns have the Constellation Cup against Australia, which starts today in Christchurch, and the Netball Nations Cup in England in the new year.
Plenty of time, in Taurua’s eyes, for her to help them to continue to grow.
‘‘There’s expectations as to what’s required and standards that need to be met, and I feel we’ve come a long way and the players have responded really well,’’ she said.
‘‘I feel over the next couple of months that there’s still work to do with the systems and getting a more integrated approach with what’s going to happen with club and country.
‘‘There’s still more work to be done within this short space of time, which will help improve the Ferns’ performance out on court. I also feel some of the players that are involved in the squad at the moment have been able to thrive under good leadership, and hopefully they’ll be able to take that further and grow as well.’’
Even while the Ferns were winning the world cup, stunning hosts England in the semifinals, and pipping the Diamonds in the decider, Taurua thought they had more to give.
‘‘I still felt that there were areas we could have improved on, but with the time we had available, it was what it was, we were trying to do as much as we could within that short timeframe,’’ she said.
‘‘I feel there is more [the players can offer]. Obviously the physical side of each individual, that can improve, and their ability to play the explosive game, but also their mindsets as well, their approach to the game and the level of dominance and ruthlessness we need to take into trainings and games. We still have some way to go in regards to that aspect.
‘‘I do feel there is more room to improve and the good thing is the players feel that as well. Whether we can do that once again in the short timeframe we have to get ourselves ready for the Constellation Cup is a good test for us, so time will tell as to how far or close we are to being able to walk the talk.’’
The Ferns win in the cup final was just their fourth in 21 games against the Diamonds since 2016, and it is sure to have the Aussies primed for revenge.
‘‘I think there’s a lot of fire that’s going to happen, because of what’s happened with regards to results, not only against us, but also England at the
Karin Burger, Gina Crampton, Ameliaranne Ekenasio, Maria Folau, Phoenix Karaka, Laura Langman (c), Bailey Mes, Katrina Rore, Shannon Saunders, Te Paea Selby-Rickit, Michaela SokolichBeatson, Jane Watson, Maia Wilson (tests three and four only).
Caitlin Bassett, Ash Brazill, Courtney Bruce, Paige Hadley, Sarah Klau, Tegan Philip, JamieLee Price, Laura Scherian, Caitlin Thwaites, Gretel Tippett, Maddy Turner, Liz Watson, Jo Weston.
Sunday, October 13 in Christchurch, 4pm; Wednesday, October 16 in Auckland, 7.30pm; Sunday, October 20 in Sydney, 3pm; Sunday, October 27 in Perth, 3pm.
Constellation Cup Silver Ferns squad:
Australian Diamonds squad:
Fixtures [all NZ time]:
Commonwealth Games, for the Diamonds,’’ Taurua said.
‘‘They’ve lost two pinnacle events in a row and usually they’re so dominant, and it’s expected that they will take the crown.
‘‘It’s always a fierce rivalry, no matter what, between the two countries, and that was probably one of the most exciting things about when we did play at the Netball World Cup, that we were back up there in the same echelon alongside the Diamonds, so it is up to us now to take that next step.’’