How the Silver Ferns push aside the Noeline Taurua saga to upset Australian Diamonds

Friday, 17 October 2025

Silver Ferns star Grace Nweke says forgetting the outside noise and concentrating on netball has been difficult.

What: Constellation Cup test one; Silver Ferns v Australia; When: Friday, 9.30pm; Where: John Cain Arena, Melbourne; Live coverage: Sky Sport 2 from 9pm.

Putting the ball in the hoop and outsmarting defenders is usually the easy part for Grace Nweke.

The Silver Ferns star conceded concentrating on her core roles on court had been challenging with the Dame Noeline Taurua coaching saga raging on.

Nweke and her team-mates must again leave the emotional and stressful situation at the door when they face the might of Australia in Friday’s opening Constellation Cup test in Melbourne (9.30pm start NZ time).

The world champion Diamonds are a formidable task at the best of times, let alone when the Silver Ferns are having to tackle the outside noise and barrage of questions about their decorated coach on a near daily basis.

Taurua will again be sidelined for the Constellation Cup and November’s Northern tour with her future as head coach appearing over.

The underdog Silver Ferns face a mighty task against Australia in Friday’s Constellation Cup opener.

Even this week, netball made more unwanted headlines in New Zealand with the news of selector Gail Parata hving resigned in a show of solidarity for the embattled Taurua.

Nweke delivered another blow for underfire Netball New Zealand, telling The Post she did not feel fully supported by the national body following her impassioned plea for Taurua to return as head coach after the third Taini Jamison Trophy against South Africa.

When quizzed on how difficult it had been to swat away the Taurua drama and focus on the steep task of beating Australia, Nweke said it had been tough.

“I think that’s the golden question. I’ve been struggling with the concept of switching off because I don’t think it’s anything you can switch off from.

Interim Silver Ferns captain Karin Burger and her side face a formidable task against Australia in Melbourne.

“I think it’s ever-present. It sits in the room and it’s there.”

Last week’s training camp in Auckland had been a valuable opportunity for the Ferns squad to bond together and speak honestly about how they were coping.

While not everyone in the squad backed Taurua to return as coach, Nweke said it was important to respect the differing opinions and players’ feelings. As interim captain Karin Burger put it, the Silver Ferns players did not need to be “the best of buddies”.

Grace Nweke will be a pivotal figure in the shooting circle if the Silver Ferns are to upset Australia in Melbourne.

“There’s a shared level of vulnerability and understanding and respect in our group that I think is vital moving forward, whether people are on the exact same page or have different opinions or emotions around the overall situation,” Nweke said.

If the underdog Ferns are any chance of toppling Australia away from home, Nweke will need to rack up the goals and shoulder the bulk of the shooting load. With former captain Ameliaranne Ekenasio making herself unavailable for the rest of 2025, Martina Salmon, who was so impressive on debut against South Africa, Amelia Walmsley and Georgia Heffernan will be options at goal attack.

Silver Ferns goal shoot Grace Nweke and Australia goal keep Courtney Bruce have enjoyed some fierce battles in the Constellation Cup.

Nweke, who shone for the NSW Swifts in her first season in Australia’s Super Netball this season, was bracing for a torrid encounter against the physical Australian defenders. She was not expecting too many favourable calls from the umpires and was ready for the Diamonds to hound her all game.

“I think with Australia it’s the game within the game. It’s the theatrics, it’s the umpires, it’s the body language. It’s what you choose to give away [as a shooter].

“I’m definitely doing a lot of prep away from the circle to get my mind right and know what kind of energy and attitude I want to bring to the court in terms of communication and involvement of the umpires.”

The Ferns had to do the hard work further down court and establish strong attacking links from the opening whistle. When the connections were there with her feeders and the ball was coming through smoothly, Nweke said the Ferns were “unstoppable’’.

Australia will likely match up experienced goal keep Courtney Bruce with Nweke. The duo have enjoyed some fierce individual battles, with Nweke tending to hold the upper hand.

Nweke had shared some messages with Swifts team-mate and Diamonds defender Sarah Klau, who had checked in to see how she was holding up through the Taurua debacle.

“It’s all been very friendly and I’m sure when I see her we’ll have a bit of cheeky banter around coming up against each other.

“Looking forward to seeing her and giving her a hug and a kiss and probably an elbow or two on the court.”

AT A GLANCE:

Silver Ferns: Karin Burger (capt), Maddy Gordon, Catherine Hall, Georgia Heffernan, Kate Heffernan, Kelly Jackson, Parris Mason, Grace Nweke, Kimiora Poi, Mila Reuelu-Buchanan, Martina Salmon, Carys Stythe, Peta Toeava, Amelia Walmsley.

Australia: Liz Watson (capt), Sunday Aryang, Kiera Austin, Courtney Bruce, Sophie Dwyer, Ash Ervin, Sophie Garbin, Matilda Garrett, Georgie Horjus, Sarah Klau, Cara Koenen, Kate Moloney, Hannah Mundy, Amy Parmenter, Jamie-Lee Price.