Possession ‘the key’

Possession netball.

It’s not a phrase often trotted out by coaches and players.

But it’s a major part of how new Silver Ferns coach Noeline Taurua wants her team to play.

Taurua oversaw her first win as New Zealand netball coach on Tuesday night in Tauranga when the Silver Ferns thumped South Africa 61-37.

After four consecutive defeats against higher-ranked opposition, it was a confidence-bolstering result and performance, with hopes now raised for further improvement when the national side finishes the Quad Series with a test against Australia in Melbourne on Sunday.

‘‘The key thing [was] possession of the ball,’’ Taurua said.

‘‘Even if at times it didn’t look like great netball, we actually kept ball in hand.’’

The statistics certainly bore that out – the Ferns had an overwhelming 71 per cent grip on possession against the Proteas.

Wing attack Gina Crampton, named as the game’s standout player, backed her coach’s emphasis.

‘‘Possession of the ball is one of our main goals at the moment – if it’s ugly netball but we still score, then that’s all right sometimes,’’ Crampton said.

The Ferns scored 38 goals from centre passes compared to just 14 from their rivals, and 17 goals from turnovers while the Proteas managed only three.

After coming under fire for a lacklustre display in a record loss to England on Sunday, goal attack Maria Folau starred, netting 35 of her 37 shots at goal for a 95 per cent success rate.

‘‘The shooting percentages were amazing – Maria 90-odd per cent and she got herself a lot closer to the post and worked really hard,’’ Taurua said.

‘‘I liked her positioning. I’ve never seen her so many times where she shot the ball under the hoop.

‘‘There was an intent there to be better and work with the other shooter as a combination. She’s open to learning new things – sometimes it’s about breaking habits. I thought it was a much better performance.’’

Taurua made two changes to the starting seven from the team humbled by England. Te Paea Selby-Rickit started at goal shoot in place of Ameliaranne Ekensaio while Michaela Sokolich-Beatson started at wing defence with captain Laura Langman moving to centre as Sam Sinclair dropped to the bench.

‘‘I’m looking for a spine,’’ Taurua said. ‘‘I’m looking for the players that will hopefully set what the team needs and then look to change certain positions.

‘‘When we do change positions, we’ll have a solid base, so I’ve been searching for individuals or combinations that can play their role.

‘‘Moving Laura to centre provides a lot of drive to our attacking end and I thought her and Gina really took the ball to

the shooting, so it wasn’t pressurised. Giving the opportunity to Michaela as well was one, to get her out on court because she never got court time against England, and also to look at that combination defensively.’’

It certainly worked as the Ferns ran roughshod over the Proteas in the opening stanza. They were driven from the back

as former captain Katrina Grant and defensive partner Jane Watson were a dominant duo, limiting the impact of dangerous goal shoot Lenize Potgieter.

Sokolich-Beatson added impetus as she, Langman and Crampton pushed through the mid-court while Selby-Rickit and Folau were accurate.

‘‘Our intent has been amazing

and it has been from day one,’’ Taurua said.

‘‘We have a responsibility of wearing the fern with pride and putting a performance out there that we’re proud of.

‘‘We know when we play against Australia it’s going to be a different story. Giving respect to SA but Australia are another beast in itself.’’