The team endured their worst losing run to Australia in 15 years during the Constellation Cup and the spectre of that 4-1 loss hangs over them, posing some fairly difficult questions for their prospects against their closest rivals, who themselves are developing new combinations.
"I think we're very clear about what went wrong and we're pretty confident we can fix it so it's not all doom and gloom.
"But we're not going to walk away from this season particularly happy," said Taumaunu. The tough-talking New Zealand coach is hoping this season is a case of short-term pain for long-term gain.
The Ferns have faced a couple of major disruptions this season with injury and unavailability ruling out three test regulars from last year - Camilla Lees (foot), Kayla Cullen (knee) and Anna Harrison (maternity leave, admittedly that one was well sign-posted) - along with former Fern Liana Leota, who had been tipped for an international recall after the birth of her son.
Those disruptions have created opportunities for other players but the only one to really stake her claim for a Commonwealth Games spot is Shannon Francois, who went from the sixth-choice wing attack at the start of the season to clinching a place in the starting seven by the end of the Australian series.
The super-fit midcourter, who had limited game time for the Steel during the ANZ Championship, reinforced her position in the team during the Malawi series and for Taumaunu was one of the stand-outs in Thursday night's win.
"I was really impressed with Shannon Francois, I think we finally have someone to match Laura [Langman] for speed in hitting the top of the circle, which we haven't had all season," she said.
The only settled area of the court with no changes from last season is the shooting circle.
After a difficult series against Australia, in which Irene van Dyk and Cathrine Latu struggled to get their hands on the ball under the close attention of the Diamonds defenders, Taumaunu is happy with the recent development of the shooters.
During the Malawi series, shooting coach Vicki Wilson worked hard to develop two interchangeable shooting combinations - van Dyk/Jodi Brown and Latu/Maria Tutaia - as they looked to build their options before the pinnacle events.
The goal for the Ferns' January tour to Britain is to continue to develop options and ensure the midcourt can play any combination.
In what is typical for Northern Hemisphere tours, the details are still to be finalised as England Netball continues to change the schedule, but at this stage it's looking as though the Ferns will play one match against England, and one against Jamaica, who will also be touring at the time.
The Kiwi team will also play two exhibition matches in Scotland to familiarise themselves with the Commonwealth Games venue in Glasgow.
Taumaunu plans to take an extended squad to Britain, the tour likely to be key in firming up selections for next year's Games.
Although the test season is over for another year, most of the Silver Ferns squad will be involved in next week's Fast5 World Series in Auckland.
