Sinclair’s tough initiation
Sam Sinclair ‘‘choked up’’ while hearing the New Zealand national anthem as the realisation of replacing childhood idol Laura Langman dawned.
The 21-year-old Waikato-Bay of Plenty Magic midcourter became the 165th Silver Fern, starting in Sunday’s (NZT) 57-50 Quad Series loss to Australia in Durban.
On the court it became all too clear Langman’s experience and composure will be sorely missed as the Ferns took the court without the inspirational midcourter for the first time since November 2004.
A slow start sealed the New Zealanders’ fate as they trailed 12-4 and left coach Janine Southby unhappy afterwards. ‘‘We’re gutted with the result. We had a really poor start and that really hurt us.’’
Sinclair played the full 60 minutes at wing defence, a bib often worn by the legendary Langman when she wasn’t operating at centre.
She delivered a composed first performance in the black dress, regularly hounding Australian wing attack Paige Hadley on defence and linking well with her fellow midcourters on attack.
Sinclair’s tenacious style of play is reminiscent of a young Langman. She relished the chance to fill the sizeable shoes of a netballer she grew up marvelling at.
With Langman barred from representing New Zealand having signed in Australia’s new domestic competition, Sinclair is effectively filling her wing defence-centre role.
Sinclair found out she was starting the night before the match and kept her nerves in check, until the anthem sounded.
‘‘It was an emotional time. I got a little bit choked up, just the thought of representing your entire country and that your family are at home watching you on the screen at two o’clock in the morning is a pretty humbling feeling.’’
Sinclair’s Rotorua-based parents, Jamie and Justine, couldn’t be in South Africa to see her first appearance, but will link up with her in London and watch the final games of the Silver Ferns’ tour.
After getting a run at wing defence during training games before the test, Sinclair had an inkling she could be in for court-time against Australia.
‘‘It definitely is a big moment in my career. I’ve dreamt about it for as long as I can remember.
’’I actually had a pretty solid sleep [the night before the match]. I tried not to think too much about it and get too wound up over it.’’
Southby complimented Sinclair on her debut effort. Playing Australia first up is the ultimate test for any netballer and she would only grow from the experience, Southby said.
‘‘I thought she had a great start. She worked really hard and she niggled away and picked up and created a couple of turnovers.
‘‘I know she’ll always remember this game and she’ll be pretty happy that her No 1 test for the Silver Ferns was against Australia when she looks back at it one day.’’
Sinclair has sound knowledge of the Australian players from her three years with the Magic in the now defunct ANZ Championship.
She knew what to expect from Diamonds’ midcourters Hadley and Kim Ravaillion, but having Australia’s leading players all in the same line-up was an initial shock.
‘‘It was a massive step up. I have played them before, but when they’re all combined in one team together [it’s scary].’’