Netball: Delhi sets mark for Tutaia

Maria Tutaia says her performance in the Commonwealth Games final 'was a huge confidence builder'. Photo / Getty Images

If 2010 started as the year of the tiger, it ended as the year of Tutaia. The Silver Ferns star went from mercurial to marvellous; inconsistent to inspirational; baffling to brilliant.

Maria Tutaia hopes her dazzling display in Delhi, off the back of an irregular season, can see her turn a consistency corner this year.

The 23-year-old is also ready for a more senior role, given the expected retirement of Irene van Dyk after the world championships in July.

But Tutaia, who has been criticised throughout her career for her tendency to drift in and out of games, maintains nothing is ever certain in top level sport.

"I can't guarantee a [Delhi-type] performance week in, week out," she says. "That's a huge ask. It is something I will always strive for every game but you can be your own worst enemy. You will always come across situations where things aren't going to go right."

Says former Ferns captain Adine Wilson: "She seems to have matured as a player.

"Everybody is wondering how she will go this year - that is the big question. As you get older, it is easier to be more consistent and she has so much experience in her pocket now."

While the focus is often on the shooters - and their mistakes are magnified - Tutaia points out that it is a team game.

She will always take responsibility for her shooting, work-rate and defence but says that, much like a striker in football or a first-five in rugby, the service she receives is a key component of the end result.

"I'm consistent in terms of giving 100 per cent every time I go out on court and then whatever happens, happens. If the team isn't putting out a complete performance, then obviously you aren't either."

But there is no doubt the Delhi final will always be a marker in her career.

"She truly was the turning point," says Steel coach Robyn Broughton. "Casey [Williams] was immense [and] they were all superb but if Maria hadn't stepped up in that game, they were not going to win it. Now she knows she can do it, she needs to get hold of that and run with it. If she lacked mental ability, how could she do what she did?"

Says Ferns coach Ruth Aitken: "It was just amazing, with all that pressure, that she could play as if there was no pressure at all. That's a very special quality."

Tutaia, who admits she went through "lapses" across the Commonwealth Games fortnight, takes great heart from her final fling.

"It was a huge confidence booster and showed how capable I am under pressure.

"I know in this upcoming season there will be even more focus [on us] - and pressure to perform."

While she insists she did nothing different and that her pre-final preparation was exactly the same as any other match, there was clearly something magic in the air on October 14 in India's capital city.

"I've never felt so focused in my entire life and it wasn't just me," she remembers of the hours leading up to the match with Australia.

"The team vibe before we left for the stadium was unreal - something I have never felt before. We were not over-confident or relaxed but the mindset was spot on. We knew from the time of the team meeting it was game time."

The pre-match perfection flowed out on to the court.

"Every time we looked at each other, things seemed to click," says Tutaia. "All the invisible seamless links that we didn't always have last season came together in that match. It was the ultimate game that everyone has ever played."

She enjoyed the victory and the celebrations but the family-oriented Tutaia was quickly brought back to earth.

"What you see is what you get with my family," laughs Tutaia. "I got home and it was 'Well done sis, can we play backyard cricket ?' [or] 'Auntie can you take me to the movies?"'.

Tutaia has two first names - Solonaima Maria - and 'Auntie Naima' was in demand, being dragged off to play basketball, feed the swans at Western Springs and go to various parks with her nieces and nephews.

Despite her tender age, Tutaia has now clocked up 52 appearances for her country since her debut in 2005 as an 18-year-old. While she hopes van Dyk doesn't hang up the bib after Singapore - "I can't see her retiring; she is still as good as ever" - Tutaia is ready for the senior role at the attacking end.

"It's been a long journey over these last five years," reflects Tutaia, "and I have learnt so much along the way. Now I've got so much experience and I'm ready for anything."

Says Aitken: "We have challenged her and she has really responded to it. Also I think she now sees what she is capable of. That belief, and having the belief of others has been really good for her."

Along with the rest of the team, Tutaia leaves for the Northern Hemisphere today and a three test series with England. She had a taste of the bitter cold in Europe during a trip to France in November, visiting old school friends where a wander through the streets of Paris was one off the bucket list.

"It's great to be back together as the Ferns," says Tutaia. "The girls are looking fit and we are ready to go again."

THE SCHEDULE NZ v ENGLAND

* First test: Sunday, January 16, 5.45am

* Second test: Tuesday, January 18, 7.50am

* Third test: Thursday, January 20, 7.50am

THE HISTORY

* Matches: 72 (1963-2010)

* New Zealand wins: 67

* England wins: 3

* Draws: 2

* Last meeting: New Zealand 47 England 41 (2010 Commonwealth Games)

* Last England win: England 40 New Zealand 38(2008 New World Series)