Langman undecided on future in Ferns
The Silver Ferns could be without the services of veteran Laura Langman this year, with the former captain admitting she has not yet addressed her future with the side.
Langman last played for the Ferns in October’s Constellation Cup, after opting to take a sabbatical in January and missing the Quad Series.
The 34-year-old has since returned to her Queensland home to captain the Sunshine Coast Lightning in the upcoming Super Netball competition.
Asked her plans regarding the Silver Ferns, Langman said she hadn’t made any decision.
“I don’t think you can pre-plan anything,” she said. “I don’t think there’s any merit in being like ‘yeah, definitely’ because there’s so much more water that needs to go under the bridge. It’s a wait and see.
“Obviously there’s so much up in the air. When the time comes to have a chat and catch up with [Silver Ferns head coach] Noeline Taurua and [assistant coach] Debbie Fuller, I’ll see where they’re at and see where they picture the squad to be.
“There are so many unknowns. I will wait until the time comes for that decision to be made.”
With Langman committed to playing in Australia’s Super Netball competition, it’s unlikely she’ll be available for the international series in October.
However, the 2020 Constellation
Cup would be timed for after Super Netball’s conclusion.
Langman said she’ll wait for Taurua to get in touch should the annual transtasman series go ahead.
“When things get put in place, we’ll probably have a chat about it if Noeline feels the need, but if she’s happy to run with her squad then I trust her judgment 110 per cent so I’ll wait to hear from her,” she said.
Meanwhile, Langman is eyeing a return to the court on August 1 when the Super Netball season starts.
The recent surge of Covid-19 cases in the state of Victoria, however, has left question marks for competition organisers.
Melbourne netball teams are reportedly set to be relocated to a different state in the coming weeks and are understood to be committed to the move.
Langman said it was business as usual on the Sunshine Coast.
“I guess the decision-makers are obviously factoring that in, if there’s anything we’ve learned through Covid it’s that decisions are never straightforward.
“There are so many stakeholders and various parties that need to be taken into consideration and I really do feel for the Victorian teams.
“It’s tough so we’re waiting to hear but preparing as usual . . . you’ve got to be optimistic, you’ve got to be hopeful and if all goes well, I can’t see why it won’t go ahead.”
● The Central Pulse remain unbeaten in the ANZ Premiership, but they had to fight hard to beat the Southern Steel 40-37 last night.
The Steel nearly pulled off a lastquarter comeback, but the game ended on a sour note as Steel shooter Jennifer O'Connell was stretchered off with what looked to be a serious knee injury. The Pulse move to 6-0, while the Steel slump to 1-5. The Steel are back in action tonight against the Northern Stars.
There’s so much more water that needs to go under the bridge. It’s a wait and see.
Laura Langman