“We’ve been working since November, not only with this team but also the wider squad, about where we are, what our success is, and we’ve had discussions on the way. But we haven’t been together face-to-face. So alongside systems, alongside processes, we’ll get to the stage of talking about what matters most for us.”
Silver Ferns coach Dame Noeline Taurua: “The balance of the squad is really nice.” Photo / Photosport
The Ferns will get only three weeks together before the Commonwealth Games start, but Taurua said having a squad similar to last year would help them adjust quickly.
“It’s a bonus these players selected have been part of the programme for the last two, three, four years, so they’ve been part of the cycle. And once again, it’s a bonus that I actually know them so that we can hit the ground running.
“The balance of the squad is really nice between the youthfulness, the exuberance that comes with that, but also a great spine of players who have been around for a few years.
“The first training’s going to be a boomer.”
Given last year’s turbulence, Taurua was asked if she feels any extra pressure to produce a result in Glasgow.
“There’s always that expectation, always to honour the Fern, but also to wear the black dress. So the expectation is part of the landscape, whether what’s happened in the past or not.”
Both Hall and Poi lack specific return-to-play timelines and are rehabilitating with the Silver Ferns performance team. Pulse defender Parris Mason is the travelling reserve, while Mystics Tayla Earle and Peta Toeava are the non-travelling reserve midcourt options.
Hall is currently in a moon boot but said she is making progress daily.
“I’ve got a really good support team behind me. Each day I feel like I’m getting something new under my belt, so it’s good, and I’m tracking well.
“Being selected puts that extra bit of fire in my belly to get my recovery done really well and be back in time.”
Kate Heffernan has been promoted to vice-captain after a stellar Super Netball campaign with the Adelaide Thunderbirds.
Kate Heffernan in the action for the Adelaide Thunderbirds in the Australian Super Netball competition. Photo / Sarah Reed
Taurua said a player vote kept Burger in charge.
“But also the great thing about our team is we have a shared leadership structure as well. We’ve got great leaders within our team. Kelly’s [Jackson] in there, Grace [Nweke] is in there, and we’ve been building for many years to make sure that leaders will stand up in many areas of our programme.”
The Ferns shooting end of Nweke, Heffernan, Salmon and Walmsley is the most inexperienced area of the court, with Nweke the only athlete to have played at a pinnacle event.
Taurua was asked if there was any concern.
“I’m really liking the combinations and that we’re three deep in each position. There is youth, but there’s also X-factor. There’s also difference when I make that change for a couple of the long-shot specialists. So I know what they can produce, and I’ve got options.”
With Nweke likely to take the goal shoot bib, the other three will contest for goal attack.
Taurua wants to get into training before she determines the frontrunner.
“All three have had time in the saddle for clubland. I know what they can do, and their skill sets. So I’ve just got to get them together to get the combinations and see if that’s reality.”
Former Silver Fern and current Queensland Firebirds shooter Te Paea Selby-Rickit has been named in the reserves. Selby-Rickit has made herself unavailable for the test side since the 2023 World Cup.
Taurua is unsure why she changed her mind.
“But when I did ring her and talk to her about being a reserve, she was really upbeat. She’ll come in and be a part of the camp as the other reserves will be, and we’ll talk about what that means for her moving forward.”
Potentially unlucky not to make the squad is veteran Silver Fern Phoenix Karaka. The 70-test defender took last year off to have a baby, and has been in hot form for the Mystics, who will host the ANZ Premiership grand final on June 27.
Taurua said it was a tough decision, but Karaka was not out of the picture.
“With the last couple of weeks, I feel that she’s really starting to get her game in the mix. Great thing with Phe is that she’s still a Silver Fern, and she’s still part of the ideas working forward, knowing we’ve got Netball World Cup next year as well.”
Jackson swept the Queensland Firebirds’ end-of-season awards, picking up the MVP, Members’ Player, Players’ Player and Kierra Trompf Spirit Awards.
Taurua is delighted with how the Australian-based players have progressed.
“[Jackson] smashed that out of the park. The great thing about all of them is they’ve got that experience. They’ve been in a full-time programme and playing against world-class athletes that we’re going to come up against in the Commonwealth Games. So it’s been very valuable for them.”
Hall said she feels exponentially more prepared for the test arena, having played eight tests last year.
“When you haven’t played in the black dress before, it’s a bit scary and exciting, but I think getting that under my belt last year and having opportunities against a few different countries puts me in a good position going forward to hopefully put out some good performances.”
Nathan Limm has been a journalist with Newstalk ZB and the NZ Herald since 2020. He covered the Netball World Cup in Cape Town in 2023, hosts The Big League Podcast and commentates on rugby and netball for Gold Sport.