Netball: Te Huna raring to hit road

Jodi Te Huna

It's not often you hear someone say they are "dying to go for a run" but Jodi Te Huna is.

It has been six weeks since the Silver Fern shooter had reconstructive surgery on her left knee after busting it in the lead up to the Commonwealth Games.

She started a rehabilitation programme last week which involves stints on the bike, rower and cross training machine and is hoping to start running in the next two weeks.

As for when she'll be back on court?

"Being realistic I am probably aiming for the National Bank Cup next year," said Te Huna who ironically has just started work at ACC as an injury prevention consultant.

She said she will not play in the national provincial championships in September or the Silver Ferns series against Australia in October.

But depending on her progress she would be keen to accompany the Silver Ferns on their end of year tour to the UK as a training partner, if it goes ahead.

It generally takes around nine months to recover from knee surgery. Former Silver Fern captain Anna Rowberry took eight months while Australian captain Liz Ellis played her first game two weeks shy of six months.

"I am aiming for six months ... I think it is sometimes better to push yourself and then reassess at the mark. I think confidence is the big thing.

"I feel absolutely gutted not to get a [Commonwealth Games] gold medal. My motivation now is to try and get in the team and defend our world title next year."