Netball: Last campaign 'for each other'

Grace Rasmussen says the Ferns took some positives from their World Cup loss. Picture / Getty Images

Taumaunu tells Ferns focus on performance, not her

Silver Ferns' coach Waimarama Taumaunu does not want to hear any talk of the team using her impending departure as motivation to perform in the Constellation Cup.

The four-test series against Australia beginning in Christchurch tonight will be Taumaunu's last campaign in charge of the national team, after opting not to reapply for her position following the Ferns' World Cup loss in Sydney.

With the series also potentially the last time we will see several veteran players in the black dress, the next 10 days has the potential to get emotional for the Ferns. But midcourter Grace Rasmussen said Taumaunu has made it clear she does not want the players to feel they need to send her out on a high.

Instead Taumaunu wants her side focused on performing well for each other and continuing the progress made this year in the lead-up to the World Cup.

"Wai's very much a selfless person and she doesn't want this series to be about her. She wants the focus to be about continuing to build on what we did at worlds," said Rasmussen. "She just wants us to play good netball and showcase our talents and ... I think if we're able to do that, that would be a nice send-off for her."

Armed with a new attacking game plan the Ferns toppled Australia for the first time in two years in pool play at the World Cup in August, but they could not do the same when it really counted a week later.

The bitter disappointment of that 58-55 loss in the World Cup final still bubbles away under the surface for many of the players. But Rasmussen said there were a lot of positives the team could draw from it.

"We've looked at that game and taken what we need to from it," she said. "As gut-wrenching as it was going down by such a close margin, I think we can take great confidence from that game and know when we played our game and didn't panic we could match the Aussies."

The Silver Ferns will meet a very different Australian side over this series, with Diamonds coach Lisa Alexander making it clear she will use the next four games to build for the future. There will be at least two change,s with athletic defender Julie Corletto and veteran midcourter Kim Green announcing their international retirements after the Sydney tournament. Alexander's options to partner Laura Geitz in the defensive circle are Sharni Layton and Clare McMeniman, while youngster Paige Hadley is expected to fill the vacant wing attack position.