Tutaia fit and ready to star for Ferns again
Silver Ferns’ shooting star Maria Tutaia has given the clearest indication she’ll carry on through to the 2018 Commonwealth Games.
Tutaia will serve as vicecaptain for the first time when New Zealand compete in the Quad Series, beginning in the South African coastal city of Durban against Australia on Sunday .
After a frustrating run of injuries over the past three years, Tutaia, who turns 30 next month, said she felt in the best condition she had in a long time.
The goal attack produced the game of her life in the 2010 Commonwealth Games gold medal match against Australia in Delhi, sinking the decisive goal in double extra-time.
She landed 41/50 against a formidable Australian defensive circle, slotting several crucial long bombs in both regulation and the extra-time period.
Tutaia will again line up for the Northern Mystics in the inaugural ANZ Premiership this season and said next April’s Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast held appeal.
It would be the fourth tournament for the 104-cap veteran, who has previously attended the 2006, 2010 and 2014 Games.
‘‘I would love to be available for the Commonwealth Games. If all goes to plan this year and next year, I would love to represent New Zealand in another Commonwealth Games,’’ Tutaia said.
‘‘I find the more I get too ahead of myself, something happens. Touch wood, it all goes to plan this year and next year.’’
Tutaia had told Fairfax Media in September that she came agonisingly close to joining fellow Silver Ferns’ centurion Laura Langman in Australia’s new domestic competition, which would have prohibited her from playing internationally.
Her fiance, Australian rugby fullback and NSW Waratah Israel Folau, is based in Sydney, which would have made the move even more enticing.
She was excited about getting back on court during the Quad Series, which shifts to England for New Zealand’s final two matches against the hosts and South Africa.
A bruised cuboid bone in her right foot limited Tutaia’s Silver Ferns’ involvement last year to the final two Constellation Cup tests against Australia.
It was an annoying injury, putting her in a moon boot and on crutches for two months, which was tough to take for the selfconfessed terrible sideline observer.
‘‘The last three years have been quite testing [with injury]. Too testing times for me, to be honest. It’s so true, the older you get your body doesn’t function as well as what it used to.’’
The Silver Ferns’ players carried out individual programmes over the Christmas break and also trained with their franchises to ensure they’re firing for the Quad Series.
Coach Janine Southby was pleased all of the 12-player squad had met their strength and conditioning targets.
Tutaia was feeling healthy and ready to make an impact in the shooting circle alongside Bailey Mes, who has rejoined her at the Mystics following a two-year stint with the Tactix.
‘‘It’s been a long time since I’ve come into camp with no injuries.
‘‘I want to get out there on court and see what I can produce. If I can finish the Quad Series with no injuries, then I’ll be very, very happy.’’
Going from playing no competitive netball in months to facing Australia is a mighty challenge for the Silver Ferns, who lost four of five tests to the Diamonds last year.
Tutaia acknowledged Australia were ’’in the same boat’’.
‘‘I know they started pre-season a lot earlier than we did. It’s pretty much whoever turns up on the day really.’’