Tutaia not ready for Silver Ferns comeback
Star shooter admits that two months off the court has left rust on her skills
Maria Tutaia’s spell on the sidelines looks set to continue a little longer, with the star shooter expected to sit out the opening t wo Constellation Cup tests as she continues to work her way back to full fitness.
The 102- test Silver Fern missed the first half of the international season with bone bruising in her foot, but had recovered enough to be included in an extended squad for this month’s fourtest series against Australia. Tutaia yesterday came through her first team training session in more than two months as the Ferns hit the court in Sydney ahead of tomorrow’s opener at Qudos Arena — the venue of last year’s World Cup defeat.
She admitted she still has a long way to go before she is back to top speed. As well as rebuilding her match fitness and confidence, Tutaia has a new- look line- up and new management to get her head around. “In terms of passing and catching — I was a bit rusty today, I’m not going to lie. But it’s just great to be back in the Silver Ferns environment and getting a feel for how things have been the last two tours,” she said. Still in the early stages of her comeback, Tutaia’s training load is being carefully managed, with the star on limited minutes. For live online commentary go to Radio Sport Extra on iHeart Radio
She said is likely she will be worked into the line- up over the second half of the series.
“I have my goals and what matches I’m being targeted for, but it’s highly likely this Sunday [ I won’t be there],” said Tutaia.
“Even though I am back on court, I am still rehabbing because bone bruising really takes about 3- 4 months off your feet. But it was really important for me to get back on court before the end of 2016.”
The presence of Tutaia and fellow veteran Anna Harrison, who also sat out last month’s Quad Series and three tests against Jamaica, has upped the intensity in the New Zealand camp with players now battling not only for court time, but a place in the 12- strong match day team.
Ferns captain Katrina Grant hopes internal competition will provide the edge the team need to break the team’s four- year Constellation Cup title drought. New Zealand haven’t held the trophy since their maiden win in 2012, but came agonisingly close to wresting the cup away from the Diamonds last year.
The Ferns pulled off a stunning 58- 47 victory in Waimarama Taumaunu’s final test in charge to draw the 2015 series 2- 2, but Australia managed to hold on to the trophy on goal countback. New Zealand 2- 2 Australia ( Diamonds win series on goal percentage). New Zealand 0- 4 Australia. New Zealand 1- 4 Australia. New Zealand 2- 1 Australia. New Zealand 2- 3 Australia. New Zealand 1- 2 Australia.
“I think that competitiveness is really good for us. Everyone i s scrambling for a bib and a place in that test line- up on Sunday and it has added extra energy in the group,” said Grant.
“The Constellation Cup means a lot to us, especially in a year when there are no other pinnacle events, and we haven’t had it for a long time. We really want it.”
The two sides last met four weeks ago in the Quad Series decider in what proved a handy preview of what to expect in the coming series.
The Ferns pushed the world champions hard, and even led for sustained periods of the match, before Australia surged ahead over the dying stages of the game when New Zealand wilted under the pressure.
Ferns coach Janine Southby said that experience galvanised her thinking on what the team needed to work on.
“It was a combination of things — firstly a lack of time together,” said Southby.
“They haven’t had that time together to build that really innate trust and knowledge of one another so, when you put the ball in, you know they’re going to go in that direction. I think we’re still missing that a little bit
“And also at times we didn’t e xecute our basics under pressure — not driving really hard into the ball, not doing the work to get free and clear of the defender.
“Those are things we need to do every second of the game.
“So for us, it’s about being really disciplined in what we need to do and doing it for a full 60 minutes.”
Southby will name her match day team of 12 this afternoon following the Ferns’ final training hit- out.