Silver Ferns wary of benched Bassett’s cup comeback
Dame Noeline Taurua is bracing for a fired-up Caitlin Bassett in the Constellation Cup, who will be playing with a point to prove.
All eyes will be on Australian shooting great Bassett in the fourmatch series against the Silver Ferns, starting on March 2 in Christchurch.
Bassett, one of just five Australians to play 100 tests, will be eager to perform strongly and push her selection case for the 2022 Commonwealth Games after a frustrating time last year.
She spent a large chunk of the Super Netball season on the bench for the Sydney-based Giants after the introduction of the controversial super shot. That allows shooters to score two goals from a 1.9m designated zone within the goal circle in the last five minutes of each quarter.
Bassett is known for her accuracy close to the hoop, rather than being a long-range shooter.
With the ‘super shot’ continuing in Super Netball, Bassett made the decision to join the Waikato-Bay of Plenty Magic in New Zealand’s ANZ Premiership this season, which is played under standard netball rules.
Ferns coach Taurua knows Bassett well, winning two titles with her at the Sunshine Coast Lightning in the first two seasons of Super Netball in 2017-18.
Bassett will anchor a Diamonds shooting end short of international experience. Fellow shooters Cara Koenen, Kiera Austin, Sophie Garbin, and tour invitee Tippah Dwan are all uncapped. Australia are missing two leading shooters in Steph Wood (sitting out after off-season knee surgery) and Gretel Bueta (maternity leave).
‘‘In my eyes Caitlin is a worldclass shooter and the international scene, which is what she’s used to, she does that very well and she does her job,’’ Taurua said.
‘‘She will be a nemesis for us like normal. She’ll be shooting 40-plus goals like normal and she’s hard to stop underneath
that post as well. She’s going to do her best, which is world-class.’’
Bassett captained Australia in their last international against the Ferns in October 2019, but new coach Stacey Marinkovich has decided to share the leadership responsibilities on this tour. A captain will be appointed by the coaching and selection panels ahead of each of the four tests.
Even without Wood and Bueta at goal attack, Taurua said the
Diamonds would be formidable in the shooting end. Their uncapped quartet were all proven Super Netball players and would be desperate to impress.
‘‘They’re going to be strong, they always are. It’s a guarantee.
‘‘They’re very versatile shooters. They can play in the front at goal attack or goal shoot. They’ll do a fine job. They’re tall, they’re athletic, they’re fast, they’re strong, and they can shoot. I don’t think there’ll be any issue filling that [goal attack] spot.’’
Taurua was excited for Koenen, who she coached at the Lightning and was ready for her first taste of international netball. ‘‘I’m really proud about what she’s been able to do to get herself to the Diamonds.’’
The Australian squad are due to get out of managed isolation in Christchurch on March 1, the day before the first test. There will be no time for a practice match against any local sides.
Australia were able to train later in their quarantine stint, but Taurua acknowledged it was a challenging build-up, mostly being confined to their hotel rooms.
‘‘I think they’re quite courageous in regard to even coming over here and playing, knowing the regulations that have been set.’’
The Silver Ferns name their Constellation Cup squad on Wednesday. Taurua hinted they would carry an extended squad.