“Look, I’m back. It’s probably the thing that I’m holding on to. And as I say, as a coach, my happy place is on court. So on the it’s training with the players, it’s in team meetings, it’s what I do, it’s how I do it. And until I sort of really get back in my eyes, then there’s still a bit to go. So, but I’m happy. It’s been a long journey over the last two months, very horrific in my eyes, but you know, I’ve got to where I am and I’m proud of that I’ve been able to stand in my own truth, so to speak.”
Taurua said she was constrained in what she could say about the process.
“Yes, I am constrained, mainly because of what’s been signed and I will really want to honor that in regards to the integrity that I have. But also the balancing act, I suppose, that I have to be able to put my truth out there. So, I’m in my conscious space. Never been so conscious in my life. But, you know, I don’t want to be the shortest reinstatement. I’ve had enough excitement over the last two months, so but I also need to put my truth out there. So, this is a balancing act that I’m prepared to walk.”
Taurua said she believed she had the support of the majority of the Silver Ferns.
“[I] felt I had the support of the players and the team, the majority. [It] was important for me to get my name cleared.”
NNZ last week confirmed Taurua’s return following weeks of negotiations after she was stood down early in September.
It was determined that Taurua’s integrity is sound, more than nine months after player complaints about feeling “unsafe” in the Ferns environment.
It’s now been six weeks since the 2019 World Cup-winner was stood down days out from the Taini Jamison series. Taurua and NNZ have since been locked in negotiations over how to resolve the matter.
While Taurua is technically back as head coach, she will not rejoin the team until next year. NNZ said the 2019 World Cup-winner will sit out the impending Northern Tour of Scotland and England to “minimise disruption”.