Ferns to play men’s team

Forget about defensive hoists and long aerial passes when the New Zealand men’s netball team faces the Silver Ferns.

The men will be in the spotlight on June 27 at Papakura’s Pulman Arena when they provide the Ferns valuable World Cup preparation. In the past, the sides have regularly played training matches behind closed doors, but this game will be televised live and recognised as a public fixture – a huge boost for men’s netball.

Silver Ferns coach Noeline Taurua will speak with men’s cocoaches David Pala’amo and Sarah Michelle Hansen-vaeau prior to the clash to establish some basic rules around the game. The last thing the Ferns would want before they jump on the plane for the World Cup in Liverpool, England, starting on July 12, is a concussion or serious injury to a key player.

‘‘Those are discussions we’d have to have to make sure we’re on the same page about how we play the game,’’ Taurua told Stuff.

‘‘Discussions will take place. I’m just not in that space yet, but they will. I think we’ve got to make sure we showcase this game as positively as possible.’’

Pala’amo confirmed to Stuff there wouldn’t be any defensive hoists to try and prevent goals, as made famous by former Ferns defender Anna Harrison. The men will play a limited aerial game and won’t be sending the ball into their shooters from halfway. They are expected to play at a high speed with short, sharp passes on attack.

‘‘Our game plan will be good solid controlled netball. That’s our game plan,’’ Pala’amo said.

‘‘The men play very straightforward netball. The men play to the rulebook.’’

The match was the brainchild of Taurua, who recognised how critical it was for the Ferns to receive tough netball before the World Cup. With netball’s leading nations unwilling to travel so close to the tournament or reveal their tactics, the Ferns had to get creative for opposition.

June’s series also features Fiji, coached by former Australian shooter and Ferns assistant Vicki Wilson, and an All Stars side, which will comprise the Ferns’ four World Cup standby players and fringe performers, who don’t make the 12-player Cup squad.

Training games between the Ferns and men are closely fought with no love lost. Taurua said the uncompromising men’s defence would be ideal two weeks out from the World Cup. She spoke out about New Zealand’s struggles against Australia’s combative man-on-man defence in the Quad Series in September, accusing the Ferns of going into ‘‘victim mode’’.

‘‘You’ve got to be [fired up] and that’s the space I want to capture.

‘‘If we go into that game soft or not prepared we will come off second best, not only physically, but on the scoreboard as well.’’

Taurua isn’t concerned about the result, with the focus being on how their connections gel on court and developing the brand of netball they want to use at the World Cup.

Since taking over as Ferns coach from Janine Southby in August, the straight-shooting Taurua has attempted to create a culture of accountability. She has been resolute about players meeting strength and conditioning targets and hasn’t been afraid to drop underperforming players, including former captain Katrina Rore, who was axed for January’s Quad Series.

‘‘We want to be very clear before going in [to the World Cup].

‘‘I don’t want any excuses. We either perform or we don’t when we hit the worlds and so be it.

‘‘I want to make sure that within our own realms and resources we’ve done everything possible to be able to minimise some of the things that have been highlighted in the past.’’

Pala’amo spoke positively about the unique opportunity for the men to play the Ferns in front of a crowd and television audience.

‘‘It’s going to show that it’s a sport that applies to both sexes equally. I think that’s the best thing it’s going to do,’’ Pala’amo said.

‘‘It’s a huge step and we’re honoured to be a part of this.’’ Former All Black Israel Dagg has told New Zealand men not to be stubborn as he opened up on his mental health problems.

Dagg, 30, has ended his rugby career as he battles a knee injury.

He revealed the struggles he endured after he missed selection for the 2015 World Cup, telling the All Blacks Podcast he almost called it quits then because of the weight of public perception he felt.

‘‘I was down, I hated rugby. I was walking down the street and I would look at people and think to myself he’s looking at me going ‘you’re a pussy’ and ‘you’re so useless’,’’ Dagg said.

Going back to his rugby roots with Hawke’s Bay, he struck further problems with a serious shoulder injury and sought out friends and family to help him work through his issues.

‘‘I’ve had moments when I’ve cried to my best mates and I’ve cried to my wife and there’s some people out there that might think I’m a pussy and weak, but I don’t care,’’ Dagg said.

‘‘Having that close support network to get through those times was crucial.

‘‘As men, we don’t talk and we need to talk. You can’t bottle it up and do everything on your own. It is too hard and it will weigh you down.’’