Former Silver Ferns assistant coach Noeline Taurua believes the Constellation Cup whitewash at the hands of the Australians is a reflection of high performance issues - one of them being the exclusion of Laura Langman.
Taurua initially applied for the Silver Ferns coaching role herself, but after missing out to Janine Southby, accepted a job with new Australian club - Sunshine Coast Lightning - who went on to win their inaugural domestic league this year.
Two years on, under the current structure, the Silver Ferns have won only one out of eight games in the pinnacle Constellation Cup series.
"Closer to Commonwealth Games after having this experience against Australia, we’re no closer to knowing are we actually going to beat them," says Taurua.
A long-time advocate of utilising the best players New Zealand has to offer, Taurua believes it’s another cruel reminder of the gaping hole Langman has left.
"Where is Laura Langman in this mix? I’ve been very strong on that. That in itself is a high performance strategy issue.
"We need to make sure that we have a performance out there that reflects high performance elite sport. You can’t just have Australia winning it every week, it’s like the All Blacks – it does nothing for the game."
Southby is contracted as head coach until 2019 – a strategy moving forward to the Netball World Cup that year in Liverpool.
With the Commonwealth games just six months away, alarm bells are ringing. Taurua hasn’t received or expected a call from Netball New Zealand, and makes it clear her immediate commitment is to her franchise.
"Just like any sport you’re either found out when you’re in a top echelon of sport and that’s what it’s all about being a coach.
"All I know is she currently needs whatever support that needs to happen and Netball New Zealand will help her work though that, but time is running out.
"We’ve got to be quite critical and make sure we ask the right questions and don’t get comfortable with mediocre."
A full review of the national programme will take place next month after the capitulation of the Silver Ferns at the Constellation Cup.
Taurua is contracted to the Sunshine Coast Lightning until the end of 2018.
Newshub.
