Netball: Te Huna taking one shot at a time

Jodi Te Huna. Picture / Fotopress

Four months ago, all eyes were on Jodi Te Huna as she emerged from the Silver Ferns huddle with the goal attack bib pinned firmly to her dress.

Sidelined for the first half of the opening test against Australia in November, Te Huna watched in alarm as her team-mates struggled against the relentless Australians and found themselves down 22-31 at halftime.

With veterans Donna Loffhagen and Belinda Colling unavailable for the series, New Zealand were a little short on experience in the goal-attack position, something the unforgiving green-and-gold defenders exploited.

With what probably felt like the weight of the world on her shoulders, Te Huna knew what she had to do, having played the scenario over and over in her mind.

"I really just wanted to get that first shot in," she said.

"That was the big thing for me. Making and scoring that first shot, I knew that would set the standard so I made sure it was in my shooting zone and I was going to get it in."

A few minutes later, the girl from Wanganui let loose a tiny sigh of relief, having nailed the shot.

Three tests later, and although the Silver Ferns did not win the series, New Zealand have taken a big step towards finding a new goal attack.

"The Australian series really did help with my confidence and knowing that I could do it," Te Huna said.

"Now it is just a matter of going out there and being consistent and showing that it wasn't just a one-off series and that I can perform in test series after test series."

Te Huna hopes to prove her point against England.

While the Silver Ferns are expected to dominate the English in all areas of the court, defence is probably one of the northerners' strong points.

Their three key defenders - Naomi Siddall, Geva Mentor and Sonia Mkloma - all stand over 1.8m tall, which will limit the high ball into Ferns shooter Irene van Dyk.

"Ball speed will be really important for us to really get them moving and get them kind of lost," Te Huna said.

Lack of speed was one of New Zealand's downfalls in the last series against Australia.

Often tentative with the ball, especially when feeding into the shooting circle, the Silver Ferns' hesitancy was possibly the result of new combinations struggling to click.

"That is a big thing, getting to know the players round you and cementing those combinations.

"Irene and I have a good relationship and I think we complement each other by the way we move, pass and create space for each other.

"It is fantastic to know you have the world's best goal-shoot behind you ... someone who can slot them from anywhere.

"Outside, Adine [Wilson] and Temepara [George] really complement each other.

"Their feeding skills make us look good a lot of the time. So it is really about building those links."

Having recently moved to Auckland after two years in Christchurch, Te Huna is relishing being part of the new-look Auckland Waitakere Diamonds side, which this year is being coached by former Australian shooter Sue Hawkins.

She said it felt like a fresh start - a feeling echoed in the Ferns' camp after the loss of Anna Rowberry and Lesley Rumball through injury.

"People have been saying, 'Well, Australia beat England by 40 so it is going to be a whitewash'.

"I guess you can look at it two ways. We need to get out there and show that we can step up from the Australian series, but also trying to get as many, if not more, points on them than Australia.

"But once you are on court none of that matters, anyway."

In numbers

59 - Number of times England have played New Zealand since 1963

56 - New Zealand victories

1 - England victory

2 - Draws