Netball: Mene on a roll approaching big mark

By Suzanne McFadden

WELLINGTON - Former Silver Ferns captain Bernice Mene is experiencing a new wave of popularity.

The razor-sharp goal keep will at some stage in this series against South Africa play her 50th netball international.

It is likely that another former New Zealand captain, Lesley Nicol, will achieve the feat at the same time - both players are on 48 caps going into tonight's first test in Wellington.

Mene has become a bit of a cult figure in the southern reaches of the country this season.

The 24-year-old defender decided this year to pursue a career teaching English and German. Her first posting was to Southland Boys High - the star-struck students have sent her 52 pages of signatures wishing her well on court.

So far, 1999 has been Mene's most successful season in terms of victories. She captained the Southern Sting to victory in the Coca Cola Cup, did the same for South in the Star Series, and has not lost a game with the Silver Ferns this year.

Mene has played in all six of New Zealand's tests against the Proteas since they returned to international netball five years ago.

It seems natural that she will come head-to-head with South Africa's deadly - but not secret - weapon, Irene van Dyk, tonight.

Like Mene, the Silver Ferns have entered a new era of respect, ever since they beat world champions Australia in their last outing way back in February.

If they can beat South Africa three-zip in this Fisher and Paykel series they will go into the world championships in Christchurch in September as favourites - both sentimental (as the home nation) and on form.

"We know they have beaten everyone they have played this year," said South African coach Louise du Plessis. "It makes everyone work that much harder to try to come close to them.

"New Zealand are so powerful at the moment. But that helps us in our build-up to the world champs."

It is important psychologically for the Ferns to win this series cleanly. They will then have the impressive record of getting the better of the other four nations in the world's top five - Jamaica, Australia, England and South Africa - over six months.

Of course the South Africans say they do not intend to roll over for the New Zealanders. Based on their warm-up performances here, however, they have to get things settled within their own line-up before they are a major threat to anyone.

It is obvious that without van Dyk, one of the world's most accurate shooters, this team would struggle.

But they have promise in goal attack Manzo Machoga, towering goal keep Leana du Plooy and nippy midcourter Dominique Harverson.

The Silver Ferns are almost certain to start with the established shooting duo of Belinda Colling and Donna Loffhagen. But they will be without midcourter Jenny-May Coffin, who sat out yesterday's training sessions with a calf strain and will be eased back into play.

* No one knows how many test caps New Zealand's most experienced netballer has.

Ex-captain and coach Lyn Gunson (formerly Parker) has played more internationals than any other New Zealander - but all the recordkeepers know is that she has notched up more than 72 caps. Vital records were lost when Netball New Zealand moved offices from Wellington to Auckland.

Sandra Edge has played 72 tests, Wai Taumaunu 68, and tonight's Silver Ferns coach Yvonne Willering 60.

Three others have broken the 50-test milestone - Margaret Forsyth, Leigh Gibbs and Tracey Fear.