Liana Leota of New Zealand catches the ball during the International netball Test match between the New Zealand Silver Ferns and England. Photo / Getty Images.
Liana Leota of New Zealand catches the ball during the International netball Test match between the New Zealand Silver Ferns and England. Photo / Getty Images.
Herald netball writer Dana Johannsen and RadioSport's Rikki Swannell answer three key questions following the Ferns' 42-38 loss to England last night.
Was this a better performance than the Ferns' Constellation Cup showings or worse?
Dana Johannsen: The performance was probably better than their Constellation Cup outings, yet it somehowseems worse. The English line-up are an experienced group and have genuine world class talent, but the Ferns should never have got themselves in the position where they were 10 goals down to the visitors. It was shooting accuracy that most let the Ferns down - 42 goals should have been a defendable total, but you can't win games when you're only shooting at 62 per cent.
Rikki Swannell: Worse. England is very good side with some absolutely world class players, but they're not Australia. England led by 10 goals at one point and nearly bottled it, but really they were in control for the vast majority of the match and this was played in Rotorua not Rotherham. That, to me, makes it worse from a New Zealand perspective. It was a scrappy match, blighted by some weird/terrible umpiring decisions, but with shooting like that the Ferns only have themselves to blame.
Are the Ferns shooting woes a coaching problem or personnel problem?
DJ: It is a bit of both. With the retirement of Irene van Dyk and injury to Maria Tutaia, the Ferns have been forced to field two players in their shooting end - Bailey Mes and Ameliaranne Wells - who can't get court time at ANZ Championship level. It is little wonder they are struggling at international level. But some of the coaching decisions have been questionable, such as leaving their most accurate shooter, Cathrine Latu, on the bench all game. You have to also question what impact assistant coach Vicki Wilson has had on the New Zealand programme since her arrival.
RS: Clearly not having Maria Tutaia means there is a something of a personnel issue. But, Jodi Brown is far, far better than a 50 percent shooter and Cathrine Latu has suddenly gone from heir apparent to bench warmer. Why? For the attack (not just the shooting) to falter as badly as it has at times this year means you have to start looking at the coach and consider what impact Vicki Wilson has had since joining the squad.
What was with all those changes to the England midcourt?
DJ: I don't know. I'm as confused as anyone. I understand the need to develop combinations and broaden options, but there seemed to be very little pre-thought or planning that went into the changes last night.
RS: Absolutely no idea and I really wish Anna Mayes would stop. It's very confusing for commentators trying to figure out why.
