KEY POINTS:
New Zealand netball gurus Ruth Aitken and Leigh Gibbs are not making any rash decisions about their futures after the Silver Ferns fell 38-42 to Australia in the world championship final.
Showing a big step up in grit and commitment, the Silver Ferns battled grimly from seven goals
down at halftime to come within one goal with less than five minutes left of the final in Waitakere last Saturday night.
But the glory went to Australia after a ferocious defensive effort by inspirational captain Liz Ellis, at her fourth world championship.
New Zealand also shone on defence, particularly Casey Williams at goal keep, who reined in ace shooter Catherine Cox with some remarkable tips and intercepts.
But the Australian midcourt picked up so much possession that, even with their shooters averaging an uncommonly low70 per cent success rate, theywere able to hold on for the win.
As always after a world championship loss - whether at quarter-final, semifinal or final stage - questions are asked about the coach.
Neither head coach Aitken nor her assistant Gibbs, however, has any interest in making a decision quickly.
"I'm a very simple person," Aitken said when questioned about her future immediately after the loss. "I keep one focus at a time and this was my focus.
"We'll need to go back and look at things but in the end it's whatever's best for the Silver Ferns and for Netball New Zealand. We'll decide that in the New Year. Right now I'm really feeling for my team and I just want to support them all I can."
Aitken was appointed Silver Ferns coach in 2001, and has 56 wins to her credit against 12 losses.
Gibbs, who coached New Zealand for four years from 1993, returned to the Silver Ferns as assistant coach at Aitken's request in 2001.
The pair has since guided New Zealand to some excellent results, including a Commonwealth Games gold medal in Melbourne last year and the world championship title in 2003.
Gibbs, who also manages Netball New Zealand's coaching development programme, said yesterday that she would also be taking a little time out to relax before making any decision.
"And there's always a huge debrief after a major event such as a world championship from all aspects. Then we start the new four-year cycle," she said. "I'd like to sit back and reflect over the next couple of weeks. Obviously so close to the competition it's hard to put things in perspective, so I'd like to have a little time to think that through."
Gibbs was still coming to terms with the Silver Ferns' loss. "Obviously it's a huge disappointment, but life goes on. When you look at everything we did, our programme over the last three months, everything was awesome. It's just a pity about the result."
- NZPA
