Silver Ferns wary of Jamaica
With silverware on the line, don’t expect another Silver Ferns cakewalk against Jamaica.
New Zealand’s new-look squad made it three wins from three at netball’s Nations Cup in London yesterday holding off South Africa 48-41 in an unconvincing display.
In this morning’s final (6am NZ time start) they were to meet Jamaica after the Sunshine Girls booked their spot in the decider, beating hosts England 70-66.
The Ferns thumped Jamaica by 26 goals (71-45) on Thursday, but coach Dame Noeline Taurua stressed the final would be a completely different beast.
‘‘I think it would be a big mistake for us if we go in thinking just because we’ve done it in the previous game it’s automatically going to happen. There’s still areas we need to work on.’’
Before Thursday’s clash, Jamaica had held the upper hand on the Ferns, denying them a medal at the 2018 Commonwealth Games, where they won the bronze medal match. They also won two games in Auckland just prior to that event.
Jamaica are an unpredictable side and when they’re motivated and in sync as a unit, can pile on the goals through 1.98m shooting force Jhaniele Fowler.
They are a team you underestimate at your peril.
With Australia not featuring at the four team Nations Cup, the Ferns have been the standout side all week. That counts for nothing though if they dish up a dud in the final.
‘‘I’d probably be really disappointed if we did lose knowing actually we’ve been playing some good netball,’’ Taurua said.
‘‘Our objective of getting everybody out on court [on this tour] has definitely been a tick, so now we’ve just got to finish it off.’’
For the most part, the Ferns have been highly impressive at the Nations Cup – considering they are without usual captain and midcourt general Laura Langman, who is being rested for the series, along with fellow centurion Katrina Rore.
Kiwi netball greats Maria Folau and Casey Kopua, who were pivotal to New Zealand’s World Cup title win last year, have also retired, so it was unclear how this group would perform in England.
Senior members such as stand-in captain Ameliaranne Ekenasio, Shannon Saunders, Jane Watson and Gina Crampton have all had their moments, while the pleasing development of young shooter Maia Wilson has been the story of the tour.
‘‘They’ve pretty much become the fossils or the fossilettes I like to call them now,’’ Taurua said.
‘‘They form the base for the team or the spine and with the other level starting to come through as well and to rise to the top, so it’s one of our things we just need to keep succession planning and make sure we stay tidy on everything that we do.’’
‘The fossils’ were of course the veteran trio of Langman, Kopua, and Folau, who were so integral to the World Cup success.
New Zealand were patchy against South Africa, but with their place in the final already secured, it was an ideal chance to manage court time.
With defender Michaela Sokolich-Beatson rupturing an Achilles tendon before the first tour game, the Ferns have been carrying just three defenders.
Experienced shooter Bailey Mes has missed the last two games with a knee niggle, while leading defender Watson has been on restricted minutes due to a long-term ankle issue.
Juggling players’ workloads this week, while also trying to build combinations and win matches, has been the challenge for Taurua.
Ekenasio believed the hardfought South African win was just what they needed ahead of the final.
After easing to a 64-48 win over England, then the Jamaican rout, it was beneficial for the Ferns to be pushed all the way by a plucky South African side, who have been big improvers in recent years. ‘‘It was a real grind out there and we all felt it, which I think is kind of good for us,’’ Ekenasio said.
‘‘We had a really open game when we played Jamaica and I think this is really good prep for us because we kind of haven’t had a game where it’s been really hard for almost the entire 60 minutes.’’