Silver Ferns stutter along again
Netball fans must have a growing fear the Silver Ferns have no chance of a medal, after their stuttering Commonwealth Games
70-44 win over Wales on Friday on the Gold Coast.
New Zealand beat Wales more easily than they handled Uganda’s She Cranes 64-51 to open their campaign, but lost the second quarter
9-13 in what is thought to be the first time in history they’ve dropped a quarter to the Welsh.
A 23-14 first-quarter lead was whittled away, until Wales – the world No 10 below the likes of Malawi, Northern Ireland and Uganda – closed to within a goal.
It was an abject display by the Silver Ferns, one that continued what looks more and more like a death spiral of netball nasties.
On day one, medal rivals Australia beat Northern Ireland – ranked above Wales – 94-26. England beat Scotland – ranked above Wales – 74-28 and Jamaica doused Fiji 88-30.
Under-siege coach Janine Southby changed her entire seven when the Silver Ferns led Wales only 32-27 at halftime.
Sam Sinclair moved from centre to wing defence, Francois from wing attack to centre, and substituted every other player.
It was a gamble which appeared to pay off, as New Zealand won the third quarter 21-9 to put the result swiftly beyond doubt, sealing it with a 17-8 icing in the last.
Southby played every member of her squad, with Sinclair, midcourter Claire Kersten, Francois, and captain Katrina Grant making appearances in every quarter.
One of her problems is at the attacking end where only Te Paea Selby-Ricket was firing above 90 per cent accuracy, while the whole team ran at 82 per cent.
Crucial attacker Maria Folau landed 19 from 23 (83 per cent), many from long range, while Bailey Mes again was statisically down, with 71 per cent; Ameliaranne Ekenasio was at 76 per cent.
Compare that to Jamaica, who had two shooters over 90 per cent on Thursday; so did England.
Australia had both Caitlin Thwaites (39/39) and Susan Petititt running at 100 per cent in their Games opener, while beanpole shooter Caitlin Bassett was at 91 per cent.