Netball: Taumaunu set for top Ferns job

Waimarama Taumaunu, who has assisted Ruth Aitken with Silver Ferns coaching for four years, is considered the only candidate ready for the hot-seat. Photo / Getty Images

Waimarama Taumaunu is expected to be confirmed today as the next coach of the Silver Ferns after Netball New Zealand had an apparent change of heart over the timing of the announcement.

Even though the appointment was made before last week's series against England, New Zealand netball's governing body initially planned to hold off naming Ruth Aitken's successor until after the Ferns' final tests of the year in Australia.

It had hoped to keep the appointment under wraps so as not to distract the Ferns from their on-court mission.

But they have quickly realised the folly of trying to keep the identity of the new coach secret for a month, particularly when Taumaunu's appointment was seen as a foregone conclusion from the outset.

Today's announcement will come as little surprise to observers, with the highly experienced Taumaunu, who has assisted Aitken for the past four years, considered the only candidate ready for the hot-seat.

Taumaunu's main rival for the role was Magic coach Noeline Taurua, but it is believed Netball New Zealand had concerns about how she would cope with the added off-court demands of the position.

But with Taurua chosen to serve in the Silver Ferns assistant coach role for the Ferns' five end-of-year tests, it is clear the national body sees her as a talent for the future and is keen to see her develop.

Taurua may yet be a part of the new coaching set-up, with many tipping the former Silver Ferns shooter to be assistant coach.

It is expected Taumaunu will select her management team, with input from Netball New Zealand.

But a Taumaunu/Taurua coaching partnership is viewed as a complementary alliance, with the down-to-earth Taurua's open and inclusive style seen as a good foil for the more forceful Taumaunu.

Taumaunu will likely take the reins of the Ferns for next month's Fastnet Series in England, where New Zealand will be looking to defend their crown in the shortened version of the game.

With the Ferns looking to tour Jamaica in January, Taumaunu's first test in charge will be in the Caribbean - just as Aitken's was nearly 10 years ago.

Aitken, who announced her retirement after the world championships, will continue in a caretaking role for the three Constellation Cup tests against Australia at the end of the month.

Waimarama Taumaunu

1981-91
Silver Ferns defender (captain from 1989-91)

1997-98
Silver Ferns assistant coach (under Yvonne Willering)

1998-2003
England National High Performance director

2003
England assistant coach

2006-07
Capital Shakers coach

2008-11
Silver Ferns assistant coach (under Ruth Aitken).