By JULIE ASH
The future of Silver Ferns coach Yvonne Willering is uncertain after the series loss to Australia.
The Silver Ferns went down 50-46 in the deciding third test in Christchurch, handing Australia the series win.
Willering's contract with Netball New Zealand is up and the coaching position will be advertised
next month.
Willering, who has coached the Silver Ferns since 1997, will decide whether to apply over the next week.
"My thoughts have very much been on this series and the disappointment that goes with it," she said. "You can't make decisions like that now. I haven't been focused on me, it's about the team."
Retirement may also be imminent for defender Linda Vagana.
Thirty-year-old Vagana admits retiring has crossed her mind but said she would like to end her career on a high note.
"I can't retire on that," she said after Saturday night's loss. "It was just so frustrating. Both teams went out there hard but unfortunately [Australia] were able to get the ball to their shooters."
Next year's Commonwealth Games were an incentive to stay on, but she would make a firm decision on her future over the next few weeks.
After losing the first test 51-47, the Silver Ferns kept the Fisher and Paykel series alive with a 58-47 victory in the second.
But just when the hopes of the nation had been raised, the Silver Ferns once again failed to deliver in front of a record crowd of 7000.
"I think you just have to be that bit more tough mentally and we had that edge on the night," Australian coach Jill McIntosh said.
Willering said they knew Australia would come out firing. She dismissed suggestions that Australia have a psychological advantage over her side.
"I am sick of hearing that one. It's always hard to fight back. We lost the first quarter 14-11 so it was always going to be tough.
"We knew Australia would come out strong, and this mental toughness - I don't buy it."
