Commentator’s Corner with Jenny Woods
Many 18-year-olds might like a little black dress for their 19th birthday, but not many get one with the Silver Fern embroidered on it. What a moment for Maia Wilson during the week when she made her international Netball debut – a week before turning 19.
Her elevation means Janine Southby has given her entire squad court time in this Taini Jamison Trophy series against Jamaica, with one Test still to come; Jane Watson, Storm Purvis and Te Paea Selby-Rickit the other debutantes.
The Silver Ferns have the trophy secured after a 72-34 win in the first Test on Sunday in Nelson and a harder fought 61-38 midweek victory in Palmerston North.
The Sunshine Girls brought a lot more intensity to the second Test, after being lacklustre in Nelson. Captain Malysha Kelly was clearly pleased with the improvement, particularly the fact her team held the Silver Ferns in the third quarter 13-13. Also encouraging are Kelly’s comments that the Jamaicans have more combinations to try, so here’s hoping the third Test on Saturday evening is closer again.
There’s a lot to like about this Silver Ferns side. Most noteworthy is the speed through court, while the rise and rise of Jane Watson – MVP in the second Test – is one of the delights of the 2016 season. Her elevation to the starting GK spot is purely on merit, and it’s hard to believe she and Katrina Grant have been playing together for only a matter of weeks.
For all that, Southby will want the Silver Ferns to step up again in Rotorua. The New World Netball Series for the Constellation Cup looms large and she will want to cement in some of her new combinations. Who she chooses to start in the shooting circle will be interesting. Presumably it’s a question of who best complements Bailey Mes.
The midcourt combinations have also looked impressive, with the Rasmussen, Langman, Cullen trio at times running rampant; having said that, Shannon Francois is playing some of the best Netball of her career.
This Jamaican side is not short of talent, with six players being part of the impressive side that came third behind New Zealand and Australia in Netball World Youth Cup 2013. This series is the first international Netball the Sunshine Girls have played since last year’s Netball World Cup and that illustrates a part of what Jamaica is up against – lack of regular elite competition.
Several team members – Malysha Kelly, Shanice Beckford, Nicole Dixon and Vanessa Walker – have played in the UK Superleague. A number are also regulars in Jamaica’s Fast5 line-up. But it’s regular competition as a team, that the national side needs.
So with more time together, coach Minneth Reynolds can perhaps extract more from her team and push the Silver Ferns harder again on Saturday. The New Zealanders need it, fully aware that four Tests against the Australian Diamonds are just around the corner.
Can’t make it to the game? Fans can catch all the action LIVE on SKY Sport NZ 1 from 5pm, black-to-black with the All Blacks Test Match, and on Prime on delay from 11.05pm (check local guides).