Brit blasts ABs
Former England international Stuart Barnes has put the All Blacks' decision to not take a late dropped goal against South Africa down to “collective stupidity”. Writing for the Sunday Times, Barnes lambasted the All Blacks for not taking a shot in the closing stages of the 36-34 defeat. “I'd rather put it down to a collective stupidity than individual cowardice,” Barnes wrote. ““It wasn't a seventh try required but a 37th point.”
Taurua claims first win as NZ coach as her side improve against Proteas
Silver Ferns South Africa
W61 37 hen Maria Folau is on, she’s on, and there was no faulting her in the first quarter of the Netball Quad Series against South Africa in Tauranga last night.
The day before the match, newly appointed coach Noeline Taurua was clear on her team’s need to improve on their campaign opener against England last Saturday — and that’s exactly what they did.
South Africa scored the game’s first goal but then the Silver Ferns took control.
Goal defence Katrina Grant looked hungry for the win. She had her eye on the ball and barely missed an opportunity to take it from the opposition.
The Ferns made the most of their own possession as well as their intercepts, with the shooting circle of Folau and Te Paea Selby-Rickit converting their shots — a vast improvement on Saturday — and ending the quarter with a 17-7 lead.
New Zealand had to work harder in the second quarter but remained calm, were careful with the ball and smart with their passes.
Despite increased South African pressure, the Ferns increased their lead to 30-19 at halftime.
Five days, it seems, is plenty of time for Taurua to make a massive difference to her team’s game.
The Ferns training on Monday was physical. There was a lot of deliberate contact, with players pulling each other and making it hard to move. There was purpose to that.
South Africa are a physical side. Goal defence Karla Pretorius, goal keep Phumza Maweni and centre Bongiwe Msomi were key in putting pressure on the Kiwis.
But with a vocal goal keep in Jane Watson directing her team and midcourter Laura Langman always available, the Silver Ferns continued to stretch their lead each quarter.
Bay girl Samantha Sinclair came on court at centre in the third quarter, with Langman moving to wing defence, as the Ferns took a 44-30 lead into the final break.
Aliyah Dunn made her Silver Ferns debut, shooting the first goal of the fourth quarter.
In the end, the Ferns proved too strong for the Proteas, winning 61-37 in front of a packed and animated crowd at the ASB Baypark Stadium. They next play Australia on Sunday.