Long road for Rore
Not ‘‘consistent’’ enough to gain selection in New Zealand’s squad for the upcoming Quad Series against Australia, England and South Africa, Katrina Rore might struggle to ever make it back.
A Silver Fern since 2008, and veteran of 125 tests, Rore, 31, was the 2018 ANZ Premiership player of the year.
If nothing else that suggests she’s played up to quite a high level over quite a long time. Consistently well, in other words.
And yet, in explaining Rore’s omission from the team, Silver Ferns coach Noeline Taurua said: ‘‘I need people who can perform and consistently perform and the ones who have been selected performed over this week.’’
And fair enough, too. She’s the coach and it’s her head on the block if the team don’t start improving.
Rore’s response to missing out has come via Instagram. She politely declined Stuff’s interview request, suggesting the post said it all.
Pledging to improve her ‘‘consistency’’ Rore talked about being a grinder, who had to rely on hard work rather than talent.
Rore won’t want to burn any bridges here, but it was clear she didn’t share Taurua’s view about not being consistent enough to warrant selection.
Anna Harrison ranks among the most clever and combative defenders to wear the black dress.
A veteran of 88 tests and winner of a Netball World Cup and two Commonwealth Games gold medals, she was a Silver Fern as recently as 2017, playing under Rore’s captaincy.
‘‘It is hard to make a comment about Katrina’s non-selection because you just don’t know how trials went, the style they want to play, what combinations complemented each other and the general internal workings,’’ Harrison told Stuff.
‘‘But I do hope she received clear and constructive feedback as to why, because I do know that has been an issue in the past.’’
So back into the defensive quartet comes former captain Casey Kopua, who you imagine will start alongside Jane Watson.
Watson was weirdly surplus to requirements under previous coach Janine Southby, but did well for Taurua at the Southern Steel and has been excellent for the Silver Ferns since her recall.
Kopua may yet become skipper again. But if that honour remains with Laura Langman, you’ve still got a return to the tried-and-true Waikato-Bay of Plenty Magic triumvirate of Kopua, Langman and Taurua that won the trans-Tasman league together.
Then there’s Erena Mikaere, who is a bit of pet project for Taurua, and Rore’s Central Pulse team-mate Karin Burger.
An athletic and versatile circle defender, Burger can also push out to wing defence.
Taurua has tried midcourters Langman and Sam Sinclair at wing defence since becoming national coach, with Burger having the potential to add a bigger, more physical presence there.
Throw it all in the pot and Rore’s hopes of a swift return to the squad might not be that good.