Cathrine Latu (right) has to stay focused on her conditioning. Photo / Getty Images
Cathrine Latu (right) has to stay focused on her conditioning. Photo / Getty Images
As a team, the Silver Ferns have battled all season. If they are going to avoid similar pain in 2015, the onus rests with individuals.
The summer conditioning window and next year's ANZ Championship loom as the most crucial time in New Zealand's preparations for next year's World Cup inSydney. The team are expected to play a test series in the lead-up to the tournament against a second-tier nation - most likely South Africa or Malawi - but by that stage, it will be a case of fine-tuning. The tough work needs to happen now.
While Friday night's 14-goal win over England represented progress for the Ferns after some average outings in October, it would be foolhardy to think they have turned a corner. One good win cannot paper over the cracks after some of the muddled performances they have produced this year. They have serious ground to make up on Australia.
Due to New Zealand's lack of depth, there are not going to be sweeping changes before next year's tournament. Maria Tutaia will return to the mix along with, if all goes to plan (and coach Waimarama Taumaunu will be desperately hoping it does), captain Casey Kopua, but the personnel they have now will be much the same as the ones heading to Sydney next August.
The only way the Ferns are going to become world-beaters is through an unwavering application to their fitness, conditioning and skill-work over the summer break.
Those not involved in next weekend's Fast5 World Series in Auckland returned home yesterday following their one-on-one reviews with coaching staff armed with a tailored training programme for the off-season. The remaining group will be given similar programmes once the two-day tournament wraps up.
While every player has areas to improve, the group with the biggest work-ons are the shooters. Cathrine Latu has made notable improvement to her strength and conditioning in recent seasons and will need to make further gains. Her performances in the Constellation Cup suggest she's still not a 60-minute player against Australia.
Rookie shooter Bailey Mes has the reverse problem. She's one of the most impressive athletes in the New Zealand high-performance system, but her shooting accuracy has been found wanting. She has a long summer of shooting drills ahead but, more importantly, needs to experience the pressure of the transtasman league week-in, week-out.
Returning defender Kayla Cullen is another who will benefit from a full ANZ Championship season as she looks to regain her form and confidence following more than a year on the sidelines with a knee injury. Cullen was impressive in her 15-minute cameo against England in the opening test, showing glimpses of the X-factor that saw her first selected for New Zealand at 19.
Putting faith in individuals to improve their games may seem like a hopeful approach. But the Ferns need only look to the likes of Katrina Grant and Grace Rasmussen to see the gains that can be made in one season if hard work is put in.
What the New Zealand management team can only cross their fingers on is that there will be no further injury setbacks.
This season proved they don't have the depth to overcome injuries to key players.
