Coach Dame Noeline Taurua has admitted she's unsure what the future holds in regards to her role as head coach of the Silver Ferns.
Dame Noeline is just weeks removed from New Zealand's abysmal World Cup campaign in South Africa, where they failed to medal for the first time in tournament history.
The Ferns drew with hosts South Africa and lost to Jamaica during pool play, before being knocked out in the semi-final against England. They were then soundly beaten for a second time by the Jamaicans in the bronze medal playoff.
A month later, Taurua confesses the experience still stings - and she expects it to remain that way for the foreseeable future.
"The pain will be with us forever," Dame Noeline told Newshub. "It'll probably go to the grave with all of us.
"But like any high performance athlete or coach, you've got to lick your wounds and get back up and get ready."
Alongside her staff, Taurua has been involved with a thorough review process of their time in South Africa, as they look ahead to the Taini Jamison series against England and the Constellation Cup over the next couple of months.
Taurua's contract runs through until the end of those series, at which stage she says she'll take stock of her position with Netball NZ, confessing she's "unsure" whether she wants to continue in her current role for another World Cup cycle.
Either way, she's in no hurry to make a decision.
"I'm just keeping my head down, learning from the World Cup and looking to be better in these upcoming series," she said.
"I think the good thing with that timing means we don't have to rush because it won't be until probably January, if we do have a commitment by then.
"So, there's enough time for myself - plus also Netball NZ and Silver Ferns - to know what needs to happen in the next stage."
Taurua took over at a time when the Silver Ferns were reeling from a medal-less outing at the 2018 Commonwealth Games, transforming them into world champions less than a year later.
Recent results haven't been as glowing, with just a bronze medal to show from last year's Birmingham Commonwealth Games, before August's historically poor display at the World Cup.
Her standing within the game in New Zealand likely means the ball is in her court regarding whether or not she remains head coach. Should she choose to step aside, some of the top candidates to replace her may include three-time ANZ Premiership winner Yvette McCausland-Durie or current Ferns assistant coach Debbie Fuller.
"Refreshed and regenerated" after a lengthy break, Taurua believes their upcoming tilts against the English and Aussies will provide the ideal chance for the team to turn the page on the World Cup.
On Monday, squads for each of those series were announced, including what Taurua says is a mix of youth and experience, she hopes to gauge precisely where her team sits heading into the start of a new World Cup cycle.
After injury curtailed her World Cup, star shooter Grace Nweke is "progressing well" in her recovery from her knee injury and is expected to be available for the four tests against the world champion Australians, starting in early October.
Despite England sending a team without several key players, Taurua is confident she'll get the test she needs in the quickfire three-match jaunt later this month - and at the same time, a sneak peek at what awaits from the Roses.
"I'm happy with the players we have that are experienced in the pinnacle events but are still green and want to be better in international matches," she noted.
"This upcoming series against England is a good opportunity to see where we're currently at and probably have a look at the next generation of English players as well, who I predict - in another four years' time - we'll probably be competing against them.
"Hopefully we've got the upperhand in that respect but we'll see what this upcoming series looks like."
Silver Ferns squad for Taini Jamison Trophy: Karin Burger, Ameliaranne Ekenasio, Maddy Gordon, Kate Heffernan, Kelly Jury, Phoenix Karaka, Tiana Metuarau, Mila Reuelu-Buchanan, Whitney Souness, Amelia Walmsley, Jane Watson, Maia Wilson
Silver Ferns squad for Constellation Cup: Karin Burger, Kate Burley, Ameliaranne Ekenasio, Maddy Gordon, Kate Heffernan, Kelly Jury, Phoenix Karaka, Tiana Metuarau, Grace Nweke, Mila Reuelu-Buchanan, Whitney Souness, Amelia Walmsley, Jane Watson, Maia Wilson
