Netball: New kids on (defensive) block

By RICHARD BOOCK

The old guard might have disappeared from New Zealand's defence end, but the new kids on the block are keen to make their presence felt.

The side who have lost two of the great defenders in world netball will square off against South Africa tonight looking as secure as ever at the back, courtesy of new stars Sheryl Clarke and Vilimaina Davu.

At a time the Silver Ferns could have been expected to struggle, given the loss of Bernice Mene and Linda Vagana, the new combination have provided their side with a fresh defensive force and were in sparkling form during the Commonwealth Games tournament in Manchester.

Clarke was first selected for New Zealand in 1997 for the tour of Britain, but had to wait three more years until she was picked again, joining the Ferns on their historic tour of South Africa in 2000.

Even then, things didn't really start to happen until Vagana followed Mene's lead and announced her retirement, leaving Clarke with a huge responsibility in terms of New Zealand's Games performance.

"I've got to say that I'm pleased and really happy about the way things have been going this year," she says. "It's been a big surprise and I didn't expect it to turn out like this, but I'm enjoying every minute of it."

The 25-year-old defender, who has the distinction of playing for four provinces in her career so far (Waikato, Auckland, Wellington and North Harbour), was brought up on the space-marking tactics of former New Zealand coach Yvonne Willering - and watched from the bench as Mene and Vagana fine-tuned the art.

But her biggest breakthrough came when Ruth Aitken took over the New Zealand reins and brought more of the one-on-one marking back into play, which in turn provided her own game with more variation.

"Yvonne is a big space-marking advocate and Ruth leans more towards the one-on-one defence, so if you're lucky enough to work with both of them you can develop a fairly rounded game.

"I'm just delighted to have found out so much about both styles. It's given me more confidence in my own ability and also a belief that I can adjust to the style that the team needs to play at any particular time."

Clarke said she enjoyed playing in tandem with Davu, the former Fiji goal-keep whose eye for an intercept and highly committed style has made her a favourite for Kiwi crowds all around the country.

"Vili is just so strong and has so many skills. It's a great experience to be playing alongside her and it's also exciting that we're developing into a competitive combination.

"We only have to catch each other's eye and there's an understanding. It's special because it's starting to become instinctive."

As for the South Africans and next year's world championships, she says the taste of the big-time at Manchester has made her hungry for more top-flight opposition and for another bite at the Australians, in particular.

"In Manchester, I found out what it was all about. I found out about the pace of the game, the extra skill level required - and I found out about the Australians."

FACT FILE


SHERYL CLARKE

Attended Auckland Girls Grammar

Is the sister of former All Black and Auckland midfield back Eroni Clarke

Has also played basketball and touch

Her favourite colour is blue

VILIMAINA DAVU


Is nicknamed Shorty (she is 1.9m)

Began playing netball when she was 10

Represented Fiji before switching to New Zealand, making the Silver Ferns squad in 2000