Positional shortages

The absence of versatile midcourter Kayla Cullen from the Constellation Cup exposed a previously overlooked positional shortage in New Zealand netball. Coach Janine Southby was unable to find a specialist wing defence in the country to take the place of Cullen in the squad, and instead brought in Gina Crampton — an attacking midcourter — to make up numbers.

It was Langman who plugged the gap out on court, which she did superbly, but it took her away from the centre position. Anna Harrison also filled the role with less success, and it meant taking her out of the goal circle, where she had a huge impact.