Netball: England captain - Silver Ferns will bounce back

New Zealand shooter Maria Tutaia lines up a shot under pressure from England defender Ama Agbeze. Photo / Photosport

England Roses captain Ama Agbeze believes the Silver Ferns can shake off their annus horribilis in time for next year's World Cup.

Janine Southby's team followed up a disappointing Taini Jamison Trophy campaign in March with their worst Commonwealth Games performance in history a month later — losing to England, Australia, Malawi and Jamaica, and missing a medal.

Determined to find answers for the Ferns' capitulation, Netball New Zealand have started a "comprehensive" review, with the findings to be announced at the end of the month.

Agbeze, who led her side to gold with a sensational victory over Australia, insists, however, the Ferns remain a threat for Cup glory in Liverpool in July 2019.

"To be honest, I thought they would turn it around in time for Comm Games after losing to us [in the final pool game]. I actually thought they might beat Australia [in the semifinals]," Agbeze told the Herald on Sunday.

"The Ferns of old have always pulled something out of the bag in whatever situation they're in at major tournaments ... they're a team that go into a game where everything's on the table, and they're about to lose, and then they win.

"The Ferns are that kind of team, they pull something out from a miracle. They can definitely change what happens at the World Cup."

Agbeze noted the Roses had their own poor build-up to the Gold Coast campaign — losing by more than 40 goals to two Australian club teams just weeks before their Games opener. Though the losses left a major dent in the English camp's confidence, they regrouped in time — something the Ferns couldn't manage.

"Losing to a club team three weeks before the Comm Games is a major dip. People see us having a lot of fun and see the end result, but it could've gone much differently," said Agbeze.

"I don't know what kind of direction they [the Silver Ferns] get from their coach, their captain, and from other players, but I try and instil a sense of leadership in everybody.

"It might be the most inexperienced player on the team that says the right thing at the time, so I think it's about instilling leadership in people long before the Games ... we've generated that culture and that ethos, and it's viable. It wasn't a quick fix, but it was obviously fast enough."

The Northern Stars signed Agbeze late last year as their sole import for the ANZ Premiership. She will make her domestic debut tonight when the Stars take on the Tactix at 6.15pm.

"I think my netball is suited to the New Zealand style of play, so that's great for me," said Agbeze, who has played in the Australian league alongside some of her English team-mates.

"The Stars is the first place where I've come in just comfortable in the environment, feel like I knew people, and just got on with people, so that's a good thing for me."