Waimarama Taumaunu is expected to be confirmed today as the next coach of the Silver Ferns after Netball New Zealand had an apparent change of heart over the timing of the announcement.
Even though the appointment was made before last week's series against England, New Zealand netball's governing body initially planned to hold off naming Ruth Aitken's successor until after the Ferns' final tests of the year in Australia.
It had hoped to keep the appointment under wraps so as not to distract the Ferns from their on-court mission.
But they have quickly realised the folly of trying to keep the identity of the new coach secret for a month, particularly when Taumaunu's appointment was seen as a foregone conclusion from the outset.
Today's announcement will come as little surprise to observers, with the highly experienced Taumaunu, who has assisted Aitken for the past four years, considered the only candidate ready for the hot-seat.
