"It is a very difficult patch for a team to go through. Relatively speaking, given the injury to Casey and the results, I think they've come through it pretty well in terms of where they are at mentally and would really like to have a good game [tonight] to show the effort that is going in," said Taumaunu.
While a lot has been happening on the periphery of the team in the lead-up to tonight's game with the concern about Kopua's playing future, Taumaunu said she was pleased with her side's preparation for the match.
It has helped that Taumaunu and her assistant Vicki Wilson have boiled down their focus into one key area - getting the ball to the shooters. Having addressed the issues in their defensive game that emerged in their 17-goal loss in the series opener in Invercargill, Taumaunu believes her side's ability to close the gap on the Australians rests on the feeders providing better service into the shooters, and greater accuracy from the shooters.
"We just need to try for more simplicity - better clarity on the feed, being available in shooting positions and fewer in and outs when the ball does get into the circle."
With the microscope being placed on players and management after a series of awful performances, the Ferns are under huge pressure to respond with at least a much more competitive showing tonight.
Several members will be playing for their places, with the potential for changes for the two-test series against England later this month.
Australia, who have won the last eight meetings between the two sides, are on a mission to write their way into the history books. They are gunning for a series clean sweep and want to do it in style.
Australian wing defence Renae Hallinan said what was motivating every player in the team was the belief that they all could improve some areas of their games, both individually and as a team.
"There's been some fabulous individual performances all across the court this series and the scary thing is everyone has room for improvement."
Injured skipper vows she'll be back on court before next year's World Cup
Silver Ferns skipper Casey Kopua has already expressed a determination to get back on the court in time for next year's World Cup in Sydney.
The star defender had surgery in Hamilton yesterday to repair her patella tendon in her left knee, which she tore after dislocating her kneecap in Saturday's third Constellation Cup clash in Sydney. The painful injury will sideline Kopua for at least six months, putting her in doubt for the World Cup, which begins on August 7 next year.
Waimarama Taumaunu reported Kopua was in good spirits before her surgery, telling her coach she is determined to be back on board for the Sydney tournament.
"She's fine, she's done this before. She's had injuries and surgeries, this is just another one to add to the list," said Taumaunu.
"From what I understand, it is probably the best outcome we could have hoped for given the seriousness of the injury."
The Ferns camp were clearly rattled by seeing their inspirational leader go down in such dramatic fashion, particularly those close enough to have seen the damage to Kopua's knee. But Taumaunu said the team had been able to regroup quickly ahead of tonight's final test in Auckland.
"It was pretty awful at the time, but I think we've all moved on from that and there is even a bit of laughter about some of the reactions at the time," she said. "As it turned out, we were able to manage Casey's departure really well. She was able to travel home with us and we were able to spend time with her. She then got a very early appointment yesterday and the ability to see a surgeon today."
Silver Ferns medical director Dr Mark Fulcher said the procedure to fix the injury was fairly straightforward, with surgeons reattaching the tendon by drilling holes in either side of her kneecap and threading sutures attached to the tendon through those holes. He said the rehabilitation period would be long and slow.
"We'll need to protect the knee for a couple of months, so she will be in a brace. Then after that period we will be looking at getting her muscles working again."
Kopua's return to netball-specific training may take up to six months, but it will take longer to get back to full participation.
