
Netball: Ferns' chance to test strong midcourt against Jamaica, England
The Silver Ferns are finally in a position where they can consolidate their midcourt lines in their tests against Jamaica and England.
The Silver Ferns are finally in a position where they can consolidate their midcourt lines in their tests against Jamaica and England.
Silver Ferns' captain Casey Kopua's "dodgy ankles" have once again conspired to disrupt her test-match career.
The debate over the level of physicality in netball is once again a big talking point.
Ferns will be at full strength against Malawi despite their intense schedule.
Cathrine Latu is covered in bruises. Maria Tutaia is tired of being "steamrolled".
Despite enduring the worst year of her career - by some distance - Maria Tutaia remains the go-to girl for the Silver Ferns.
We just might be witnessing some Advanced Australian Fear, a netballing rarity down the years.
The contest between the Silver Ferns and Australian Diamonds has become the greatest rivalry in transtasman sport - and probably one of the closest on the planet - and there are no signs of that changing in the near future.
Their partnership has been one of the most celebrated in Silver Ferns history but new assistant coach Vicki Wilson believes she can take Irene van Dyk and Maria Tutaia to new heights.
Say it quietly, as Netball New Zealand most certainly will, but new Silver Ferns midcourter Courtney Tairi is the netball version of James Tamou or Quade Cooper.
The future of several top-name Silver Ferns is expected to be revealed this week as transtasman league franchises scramble to get their line-ups in place.
Twelve months ago Courtney Tairi and Katarina Cooper were taking their first painful steps along the long road to rehabilitation after suffering serious knee injuries.
The Silver Ferns selectors will be looking closely at some of the under-21 shooters in camp next week as they rebuild depth in their shooting end.
They are not quite on notice but Silver Ferns coach Wai Taumaunu expects her international players in the ailing Mystics to come to the fore in coming weeks.