Norma Plummer believes the Silver Ferns could make a comeback in the upcoming Quad Series. Photo / Getty
Norma Plummer believes the Silver Ferns could make a comeback in the upcoming Quad Series. Photo / Getty
Australian netball legend Norma Plummer expects the Silver Ferns to make a resounding comeback in the upcoming Quad Series.
The Ferns will take to the court on Saturday afternoon for the first time since their disastrous 2017/18 international season which finished with their worst Commonwealth Games performance in history.
Althoughhaving fallen to an all-time low with shock defeats to Jamaica and Malawi, Plummer believed that Noeline Taurua's appointment as head coach and the return of veterans Laura Langman and Casey Kopua could make all the difference.
"I'm expecting that New Zealand's just going to bounce back to where they were quite recently," Plummer told Radio Sport.
Norma Plumer is now the head coach of South Africa's Proteas. Photo / Getty
"I know the team certainly were very down at Comm Games ... but in the big picture, Noeline's got the job and I think she's an excellent coach."
The former Australian Diamonds coach, who now looks after South Africa's Proteas, told the Herald earlier this year that she believed Netball New Zealand's initial decision to bar Langman from selection was one of their biggest mistakes and slammed former Ferns coach Janine Southby for not fighting the system.
But with Langman set to pull on the black dress for the first time in two years this weekend, Plummer said the seasoned veteran's return should sound a warning to defending champions Australia - who have won three of the four Quad Series so far.
Laura Langman at this week's Silver Ferns training camp in Auckland. Photo / Photosport
"Let's face it, Langman, I expect will get back onto the court like she's never missed a beat and she's just a player that's like a machine," she said.
"Why New Zealand never let her go and play in Australia, a player who's played 141 test matches and who still wants to play but is really looking to challenge herself all the time, if I was the coach I would have said 'yea you go' but she was always coming back to play for New Zealand.
"It was only ever going to enhance it, it was never going to be detrimental ... I'm glad that the girl is back in because she's an excellent player."
Described as looking like a "spring chicken" on the court, Langman was in fine form during the Ferns' training on Tuesday morning.
The 32-year-old was relishing her return and praised coach Taurua's positive impact just 48 hours into the job.
"There have been lots of moments just walking into camp and onto court; I just can't believe I'm back," Langman said.
"She's [Noeline] already had an impact I feel ... it's great to see the minds free and seeing the pure joy back in the group."
The Silver Ferns will name their captain today after the team was given the opportunity to vote for their preferred leader under a new "collective approach".
Langman and incumbent Katrina Grant are expected to be top contenders for the role.
The Quad Series tips off at Auckland's Spark Arena on Saturday with Plummer's South African side playing Australia before New Zealand take on England.
