Someone like you
After the disappointment of the Commonwealth Games, the position of Silver Ferns coach Janine Southby became untenable. She resigned in July last year and all eyes turned to Noeline Taurua. She took her time and it was not until late August that her appointment was announced. That automatically brought some buy-in from the netball community and Taurua had all the power. And she used it. All talk of leadership groups and player power - so revered these days - went out the window. Get on the Taurua bus or get off.
When we were young
Obviously when Taurua returned, she shoulder tapped a few of her key cogs to come back in. So before we knew it, Casey Kopua and Laura Langman were back, keen to wear the black dress again. And any doubt over Maria Folau and her commitment to the team was negated as she was given some time off and came back into the side.
Skyfall
Taurua made sure any rules around eligibility were quickly forgotten. Langman and Folau both played in Australia this year and if that was the case under the rules set by Netball New Zealand then they would not be there. But the old ``exemption'' clause came into play and the old rules were swept under the carpet. Also under that carpet was any reference to Folau's tweeting husband.
Rumour has it
To win games a team has to play well. But then so does the opposition. And in international netball that means Australia. But the Diamonds are not as good as they used to be. Sure they still have Caitlin Bassett, all those arms and legs, and some other talent but plenty of experience has left the building. There were only three players in the Diamonds who played in the 2015 World Cup. Replacing players such as Sharni Layton, Laura Geitz, Kim Green and Kim Ravaillion does not happen overnight.
Crazy for you
Now it is a team game. But some members of that team are more important than others. Langman was an absolute key. The pocket rocket from Waikato just never gave in and drove the side over the line.
One and only
Right, who can say her name, let alone spell it?. A year ago she was just a bit part in the national side. But cometh the hour, cometh the woman. The shooting of Ameliaranne Ekenasio was out of this world. Top notch. Those sky loops of shots. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar would be envious.
Turning tables
In the end good will always beat, ah, the Australians. The Australians had 84 penalties. The New Zealanders recorded under 50. The rough and tumble from those across the ditch did not work.
