Netball: Silver Ferns refocus on England tests

Laura Langman says the Silver Ferns are motivated to win in front of the Rotorua crowd. Photo / Stephen Parker

They have weathered the disappointment internally and externally but after a week off the Silver Ferns' batteries are recharged and the team ready to give Rotorua a test match to be proud of.

Speaking to the Rotorua Daily Post after training yesterday, captain Laura Langman said they were ready to turn things around after the Constellation Cup defeats to transtasman rivals Australia.

They take on England in the first of two tests tomorrow at the Rotorua Energy Events Centre and up for grabs is the Taini Jamison Trophy, named after the Rotorua netballing legend.

"We've had a week at home to refresh and we hit the ground running when we arrived [on Saturday]," Langman said.

"The focus is to make sure we take the lessons from the Constellation Cup and put it out there on the court. It was an unpleasant learning curve but great preparation for this series. It was a good indicator of what we need to do over the summer."

She said they had been spending trainings working on the links in and out of the circle.

"Hopefully we've improved in that area. We've got great shooters and as long as we give them opportunities then that can hold us in good stead. We want to do our best to make them look as good as possible - they have a hard job."

Langman will team back up with Rotorua netball coach Noelene Taurua who has signed up to coach Mystics next year. She's had a year out after coaching the Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic, leaving the same time as Langman.

"I'm hugely excited to work with Noelene again. Her knowledge - both tactical and technical - is second to none. Her ability to think outside the square and really take netball to another level is something in New Zealand we have been missing."

The test tomorrow night is almost sold out. The big crowd and Taini Jamison Trophy is the drive the Silver Ferns will thrive on.

"It would be really nice to keep our homegrown trophy in New Zealand. Taini is a legend, she pretty much put netball on the map in New Zealand. It's great to see her courtside and continue to come and support."