Taurua sticks with World Cup heroes
At a glance
Silver Ferns coach Noeline Taurua has stuck with her Netball World Cup winners for next month’s Constellation Cup series against the Australian Diamonds.
There is one forced change, with Michaela Sokolich-beatson replacing Casey Kopua, who retired in the wake of July’s triumph in England.
Shooter Maia Wilson will join the team for the Australian leg of the series, making for a squad of 13, captained by Laura Langman.
The Constellation Cup begins in Christchurch on October 13, with tests to follow in Auckland on October 16, Sydney on October 20 and Perth seven days later. The Silver Ferns haven’t won the annual series since 2012, though they did draw 2-2 in 2015.
Taurua said the Constellation Cup would be an opportunity for the Silver Ferns ‘‘to continue to grow and learn as a group and build on the gains we made at the Netball World Cup’’.
‘‘We cannot afford to rest on our laurels and think one cup is enough. The players who have been selected have once again met the fitness standards that are required to play the international game.
‘‘The trans-tasman battle is arguably one of the fiercest netball rivalries ever. The Constellation Cup now has an added sting to it considering our last encounter at the worlds.’’
That encounter was the World Cup final, where the Ferns beat the Diamonds 52-51 for what was just their sixth win in 25 meetings since the previous World Cup.
Silver Ferns assistant coach Deb Fuller is unavailable for the Constellation Cup, so Taurua will call on Yvonne Willering, who was used as a specialist coach in the buildup to the World Cup, and former Adelaide Thunderbirds and Northern Mystics coach Jane Woodlands-thompson.
Taurua said she was looking forward to working with Willering and Woodlands-thompson.
‘‘Yvonne and Jane are master coaches. They have so many years of experience behind them. They will bring fresh ideas, challenge our thinking, strengthen our current strategies and help us to continue to grow our game. Personally I feel privileged to work alongside them.
‘‘It has been an amazing year for the Silver Ferns in winning the Netball World Cup. It is important that we build on the momentum from that experience and strengthen our base so we can consistently perform at the highest level. This Constellation Cup is the first step in the overall plan.’’
The Ferns will go into camp in Christchurch on October 8.
A New Zealand A team has also been selected to play behindclosed-doors matches against England A and Australia A.