Ferns find shooting duo
It’s not the result Noeline Taurua wanted, but the Silver Ferns look to have finally found a starting shooting combination for July’s Netball World Cup.
New Zealand were unable to provide captain Laura Langman with the ultimate present for her record-breaking 150th test in the black dress, losing 53-50 to Australia in their Quad Series clash in London yesterday.
Poor accuracy and a lack of cohesion in the shooting end plagued the Ferns in the Quad Series and Constellation Cup late last year, Taurua’s first two events in charge since replacing Janine Southby as coach.
Ameliaranne Ekenasio, Te Paea Selby-Rickit, Aliyah Dunn, and Maia Wilson were all tried alongside the established Maria Folau with none able to be a consistent threat alongsideFolau.
Taurua went back to Ekenasio for the Northern Quad Series in England and the Central Pulse goal attack has performed admirably with Folau, giving the Ferns two shooters, who command attention and aren’t afraid to put up the long bombs.
Folau and Ekenasio landed
41/45 as a duo in last Monday’s
54-41 loss to England, then backed up their pleasing play against Australia, converting 50/59 as a combination (85 per cent).
They both carried the workload with Folau slotting
30/37 and Ekenasio also busy with 20/22 and two rebounds.
In the second half, the pair were particularly impressive, landing 31 of their 35 attempts (89 per cent) as the Ferns rallied from a dreadful start, where they trailed 14-6 after the first quarter.
Ekenasio’s play over the past two games (32/35 shooting) will have gone a long way to cementing her ticket to July’s Netball World Cup and a firstchoice starting spot with Folau.
‘‘I was very happy with our shooting end. Once again it’s been a consistent message or a failing I suppose in regards to our [shooting] percentages and it’s probably the best in regards to our unit and our ability to be able handle the pressure,’’ Taurua told Stuff.
‘‘I feel the actual dynamics or the rhythm of both of them is probably coming along quite nicely. I’m very happy with what I’m seeing.’’
The Ferns were left to lament a horrible beginning against an Australian side, missing captain and star goal shoot Caitlin Bassett and outstanding wing defence Gabi Simpson. Meanwhile South Africa stunned England 48-45 also yesterday.