Taurua upbeat as Ferns turn focus to Games

Noeline Taurua admits she might sound crazy.

But she feels the Silver Ferns are in a better place two weeks out from the Commonwealth Games than they were when they flew off to England and won the Netball World Cup three years ago.

Her team will make the long trip north again this Thursday seeking glory at the Games in Birmingham after failing to win a medal of any colour on the Gold Coast four years ago.

And while they might have finished the Cadbury Netball Series with their heaviest defeat in nine meetings against the New Zealand Men, losing 67-48 in the final at Pulman Arena in Auckland on Saturday, their coach believes they’re in a good place.

‘‘I know it might feel crazy to people, but I actually feel we’re ahead of ourselves in comparison to where we were in 2019,’’ Taurua said after Saturday’s match.

‘‘It’s about how much more we have to grow within the next couple of weeks and the planning that we’ve done, our openness to learn, where the players are at, the leadership that these guys have put together for the programme and just the sheer communication.

‘‘There’s a lot of love in the team and they’re there to serve each other. There are little bits and pieces that we have to be better at, but our numbers indicate that we are actually better, so let’s see what that brings.’’

Current men’s captain Kruze Tangira was part of the team that beat the Silver Ferns twice on the eve of their World Cup win in 2019 and said Taurua ‘‘doesn’t sound crazy at all’’.

‘‘My eyes lit up when she said that because Noeline doesn’t say things just to say things. She says it because she means it and if that’s what she is saying, I think we need to trust and believe.

‘‘It drove me crazy the number of people that doubted her decisions in terms of the people that are in this team, but I think we saw this week, just how skilled this team really is.’’

Reflecting on Saturday’s 19-goal defeat, which followed a 15-goal loss when the two teams met on Thursday night, Taurua said the Silver Ferns lost their way early, falling behind by the final margin after just two quarters.

‘‘I think we got a bit caught up in the speed right at the beginning and did turn over the ball and probably didn’t secure it and it was tough physically, but really good.

‘‘I think it was a great showcase of netball, with the speed of the men and the flavour that’s added to this tournament and our preparation. It’s what we needed – we’re very clear on what we can do better and that’s what it’s all about.’’

New Zealand A beat the Mixed Invitational team 48-36 in the playoff for third on Saturday.

The Silver Ferns begin their Commonwealth Games campaign on July 30 against Northern Ireland.