Louisa Wall: Vagana still a force in the game

Linda Vagana might have retired from the Silver Ferns but she still has much to offer netball.

She has been in dynamic form for the Force in the National Bank Cup and showed that against the Diamonds last week.

Apparently last season was the end of the road for Vagana, but the 33-year-old obviously had a few more games left in the tank and Force coach Yvonne Willering was able to convince her to continue this season.

On form like last week, if she were available and eligible for the Silver Ferns, I am sure she would be selected. However, she captained Samoa at the 2003 World Championships and under new International Netball Federation rules that came into effect after the championships, players must stand down for one world championship if they have represented another country at senior or youth level.

So Vagana couldn't play for New Zealand again until 2011.

And the same applies to ex-Australian captain Kath Harby-Williams. Although now living in New Zealand, she is technically an import player.

What a shame, as she is still the best GD in the business.

The rules allow for one import player per team but this status excludes New Zealand citizens and residents who have lived in New Zealand in the last two years but who have played for another country. These rules were developed to ensure that the National Bank Cup competition contributes primarily to the development of players who will represent New Zealand. However, there is enough flexibility in the system to recognise the choices of players such as Vagana and to support Pacific players based in New Zealand who choose to play for their heritage nations.

It is a good policy that balances the interests of New Zealand players while enabling quality players such as Harby-Williams the opportunity to contribute to the development of New Zealand netball and also assist Pasifika nations in international events.

The Diamonds v Force game was closely contested throughout and the crowd really got behind the Diamonds.

The frequent injury breaks by both teams were notable when the opposition was on a roll.

This was highlighted recently by Rebels coach Lois Muir, who said that injuries were used to halt the momentum of her team when they were on attack against the Sting.

The rule book states that umpires must stop the game the moment they become aware of any player who is bleeding. All other stoppages are at the discretion of the umpire and limited to two minutes.

Too many stoppages are a negative addition to the game, not only for the players but the spectators. If the umpires are to allow such injury breaks then each team may as well have a time-out quota as they have in basketball.

If Joan Hodson was umpiring I know she would counter such gamesmanship by blowing the whistle and communicating with the coaches beforehand. That is the best way to eradicate such tactics.

I think the Magic, Diamonds and Force will make the semifinals and the Flames might just knock out the defending champions the Sting to clinch the final semi berth.

That would signal a momentous move in the netball powerbase from the south to the North Island. It's about time.

* Louisa Wall is a former New Zealand netball and rugby representative