Plummer knew Ferns backlash was coming

Norma Plummer knows a ton about playing the Silver Ferns.

So the veteran coach wasn’t at all surprised by the New Zealand tidal wave that washed her South African side away in the first quarter of their Quad Series match on Tuesday night.

The hosts in Rotorua forced a swag of Proteas’ turnovers and fully capitalised to race out to a double-digit lead.

‘‘I figured they’d come out like that,’’ Plummer said.

The former Australian national team coach said the New Zealand media had savaged the Ferns after their record loss to England in their Quad Series opener three days previous.

‘‘You guys had given them all a hammering. I couldn’t believe how bad you are.

‘‘Those players were ready to stand up, they just needed the opportunity.’’

Plummer also knew the hosts would improve their shooting after being poor against England. That they did, netting at 86 per cent with under-fire goal attack Maria Folau making 35 of her 37 attempts as she got closer to the net.

‘‘I knew they’d be going to the post better – they had to address that. It’s taken us back a few paces,’’ said Plummer, admitting her troops were too nervous initially.

‘‘This is a competition that South Africa normally wouldn’t go and challenge. But from day one when I’ve taken them over I’ve said we have to go to the top and play these teams, and we’re learning lessons fast.

‘‘Up to now, until we got all the injuries, we were in the ballpark. But having three centre-courters all out in one hit, yeah, that’s really hurt us.’’

The Proteas are without Precious Mthembu, Izelle Griesel and Erin Burger but Plummer hopes they’ll all be fit for next year’s World Cup.

Plummer wants as many of her players as possible to be playing in leagues around the world rather than at home.

‘‘They’re the things I hope will assist us going forward. We’ll have three [players] in Melbourne, one here and maybe four in England.’’

Plummer said the national competition in South Africa went for only seven weeks before the country’s best went back playing for their universities or provinces.

‘‘You’ve got to have your best on your best, every week – South Africa’s got to do something about that.’’