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Silver Ferns coach Dame Noeline Taurua was much happier after the second test against the England Roses because her second clash in Hamilton “felt more like a test match” full of hustle and bustle that really pushed the world champions. .
New Zealand clinched the Taini Jamison Trophy Series with a test to spare after struggling to win 54-47 at a sold-out Claudelands Arena on Friday night, two days after defeating the Roses by a larger margin (58 -45) in the first test. In the same place.
Taurua said the Silver Ferns were “too shy” in their first game against an English team without a number of key stars due to their commitments in Australia, but the Roses have shown a lot of heart and quality, enough to have New Zealand seriously in the game. the rear. in the second test to a dominant third quarter from the hosts, who handled the pressure and finished strong for an 11th consecutive test win at Hamilton.
Phil Walter / Getty Images
Whitney Souness entered the third quarter for the Silver Ferns.
“It was actually quite nice because it was a really tough test match,” Taurua said at the post-match press conference on Friday.
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“There were a lot of ups and downs and also seeing people under pressure.
“There were times when we had to push ourselves and it might not look good, but overall our stats were pretty good.
“I liked the hustle and bustle of both teams and the feeling of a real, traditional test match.”
Of course, Taurua is focused on making further improvements, starting in Test 3 on Sunday, but beating a tough England team, which is third in the world rankings, is a “checked box” after the return of international netball after an absence of nine months because of Covid-19. The Silver Ferns are second in the standings behind Australia.
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Dame Noeline Taurua said the second test was more like a real test.
With the series won, Taurua thanked his team for surviving the English onslaught and noted how the changes in that decisive third quarter, which the Silver Ferns won 16-8, were vital.
Claire Kersten and Whitney Souness came in after halftime in center and wing attack respectively and altered the attack so that the Silver Ferns had more room to exploit England’s staunch defenders.
Taurua said his attack was stalled until those changes, but England also fared better after the first test because it was their second outing after a seven-month break due to Covid-19.
The third test, which is a dead rubber, gives Taurua a chance to give more players a try at the test level and said the changes were “more than likely” as the Silver Ferns are aiming for a clean sweep to finish. year.
“Now is a good time to see the people on the court,” Taurua said.
“In addition, we are aware that we do not want to lose that match either. We have built ourselves and our business is gaining evidence.
Phil Walter / Getty Images
The English Laura Malcolm was the player of the match in the second test.
“We will have to be strategic about it and make sure we have a clear spine.”
A more experimental Silver Ferns team could improve England’s hopes.
The Roses will surely want to finish their New Zealand tour on top. Laura Malcolm was sensational in the middle of the court, winning the player of the game award on Friday, but her teammate co-captain Serena Guthrie has doubts for Sunday after injuring her ankle in her 100th test.
