Langman heading back to Lightning

Laura Langman will join forces again with new Silver Ferns coach Noeline Taurua at the Sunshine Coast Lightning next year.

The two-time reigning Australian Super Netball champions confirmed the signature of the Silver Ferns midcourt great yesterday.

Langman and Taurua combined to win a title in the first season of Super Netball in 2017. The 32-year-old was set to play for them again this year, but terminated her contract to return to New Zealand to focus on her accounting career and pursue interests outside of netball.

‘‘Sunshine Coast Lightning holds a special place in my heart and I’m eager to take to the court once again with such an incredible group of players,’’ Langman said in a statement.

‘‘It was a difficult decision to step away from the Super Netball league last year and I’m excited to be rejoining the fold.’’

Langman, who is the second most capped Silver Fern in history with 141 tests, is set to wear the black dress for the first time in nearly two years in this month’s Quad Series. New Zealand’s opening game is against England in Auckland on September 15.

Langman has been granted a special exemption to play for New Zealand, despite playing in Australia, as has veteran shooter Maria Folau, who will also feature in Super Netball next year.

Taurua will see out the final season of her three-year contract with the Lightning in 2019, while also guiding the Silver Ferns.

Langman also previously played in Australia in 2016 with the New South Wales Swifts in the final season of the transTasman league.

She has often spoken about how much she has enjoyed competing in Australia. Playing with and against leading Australian and international players has only extended her skills and knowledge and given her a fresh perspective on the game.

Taurua and Langman have a long association in elite netball. Langman worked extensively with Taurua during her time with the Waikato-Bay of Plenty Magic, winning a title in 2012 in the trans-Tasman competition, the only New Zealand side to do so.

They also tasted success in the former Kiwi domestic competition, going back-to-back in 2005 and 2006.

Taurua was an assistant with the Mystics in 2015 when Langman had a stint with the Auckland-based side, too.

‘‘Sunshine Coast Lightning holds a special place in my heart and I’m eager to take to the court once again with such an incredible group of players.’’ Laura Langman, left.