Netball: Taumaunu tough on herself after series

Waimarama Taumaunu is just as hard on herself. Photo / Getty Images

Wai Taumaunu has always been seen as a tough taskmaster and it extends to putting herself under the microscope as she reviews her first test series in charge of the Silver Ferns.

The new coach had limited preparation time after the late withdrawal of Ruth Aitken, took charge of a team without some established names (Casey Williams, Temepara George, Katrina Grant) and faced the newly crowned world champions Australia in three matches on their home turf.

Despite those handicaps, Taumaunu was not at all satisfied with her performance in the 2-1 series loss. The Ferns won the first test 49-48 before losing the second 51-44 and the decider 44-41.

"I would give myself a C - and that is only just scraping into a C. It was adequate - just, and only because of the late start," says Taumaunu. "With the time I had, I did as much as I could but I don't like losing so I was really disappointed."

Taumaunu has put a new review process in place, which she will adhere to after each Ferns series. Currently it involves seeking feedback from various respected netball identities but in the future will have a more formal structure.

"It has reinforced to me that I like to be well prepared and I wasn't able to be," says Taumaunu. "It is very important to me; I had about a week and that isn't my normal preparation time."

Taumaunu was doing some home baking and about to watch a Rugby World Cup semifinal when she got the call that she would be stepping in for the Australian series.

"I had watched the England [vs Diamonds] game earlier in the day but only from a spectator point of view, rather than analysis," says Taumaunu. "I had to get everyone out of the room so I could sit down and watch it again properly."

But Taumaunu is not one to offer excuses for the series loss, especially as the Ferns held leads in each of the last two matches.

"I felt under prepared and it affected me in that sense but I would be be hard pressed to say it affected what happened on court in the final two tests," admits Taumaunu. "By then, I had worked pretty hard to get back up to speed."