Silver Ferns handed wakeup call by NZ men

The Silver Ferns have plenty to stew over 15 days out from the Commonwealth Games after being outclassed by 15 goals by the New Zealand men.

Led by 35 goals from standout two-metre tall shooter Jay Geldard, the men booked their spot in Saturday’s Cadbury Series final with a 61-46 win at Pulman Arena in Auckland on Thursday.

The Ferns, who opened the four-team series with an impressive 67-48 win over New Zealand A on Wednesday, couldn’t replicate the same standards, struggling against the height of the men.

Ferns head coach Dame Noeline Taurua returned to the sideline after passing all her post Covid-19 protocols. She would have been disappointed by their shooting accuracy, converting just 74% of their attempts (46/62), which won’t be good enough come the Commonwealth Games. The Ferns struggled to get the ball into their shooters with the men producing swarming throughcourt defence and bringing plenty of physicality.

They also weren’t helped by 22 turnovers, which the men’s team capitalised from and regularly scored off.

Goal keep Dan Rich and goal defence Matt Wetere were outstanding in the men’s defensive circle, making life tough for the Ferns’ shooters.

The Ferns also didn’t generate enough impact defensively with the men’s midcourters having an easy route into Geldard.

This series is all about testing combinations and getting players on court with 15 days until the Ferns’ first match at the Commonwealth Games against Northern Ireland.

In the first game, the Mixed Invitational side prevailed 59-47 over New Zealand A, who have lost both of their opening games.

Former Ferns captain Ameliaranne Ekenasio had another solid outing for New Zealand A, landing 19 from 22.