Diamonds coach, captain warn Silver Ferns controversy can galvanise New Zealand team

The Diamonds are warily watching the Silver Ferns coaching saga unfold on the other side of the Tasman, believing they will face a team galvanised by New Zealand netball’s current debacle.

No one has to remind the Diamonds just how much a controversy can galvanise a side.

Australian netball coach Stacey Marinkovich and her players are fully immersed in preparation for three Tests against South Africa to start their international season, starting with Saturday’s clash against the Proteas in Bendigo.

But they’re well aware of the kerfuffle across the Tasman, where netball legend Dame Noeline Taurua and her staff, including specialist coach and NSW Swifts mentor Briony Akle, have been stood down.

With four Constellation Cup Tests against the Silver Ferns on the horizon following the South Africa series, the Diamonds are wary of the wounded warriors that will head their way for the first match of the series at Melbourne’s John Cain Arena in just over a fortnight.

Whether Taurua – the woman who led the Ferns to a famous 2019 World Cup win just a year after New Zealand netball’s lowest point, missing the podium at the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games – is there or not remains up in the air.

The New Zealand Silver Ferns present a united presence ahead of their Taini Jamison Trophy clash against South Africa despite the coaching saga that led to Noeline Taurua being stood down for the tournament. Photo: Getty Images

Her standing down following an investigation of player complaints into her leadership and communication style has caused shockwaves across the Tasman, the news crossing from the sports pages into the mainstream news, with Netball New Zealand (NNZ), the Silver Ferns, Taurua and her staff and players under a searing spotlight.

Sound familiar?

The Diamonds only have to think back to the poisonous pay war of 2023 – when their World Cup campaign was conducted with mass uncertainty over player contracts – or a year earlier, when the proposed Hancock Prospecting sponsorship of the sport was pulled at the eleventh hour in the midst of the Constellation Cup campaign, to know how controversy can spur a side.

“I know what turmoil around a team can feel like at different points, and I also know how it can galvanise staff and players to get performances when it counts,” Marinkovich said.

Diamonds players swamp Donnell Wallam after she withstood a mountain of pressure during the Hancock Prospecting sponsorship saga to win the match with a last-second shot on debut against England . Photo: Getty Images

“There’s obviously a bit of noise at the moment but I fully expect that New Zealand would come out firing and they’ll have their best team available and it’ll be led exceptionally well.

“We’re preparing what we can control and they’ll work through what they need to, to get their teams up and firing.

“We know only too well that when you put a group of players in their national dress in the place where they love to be the most – on the court – they’re going to do some pretty incredible things.”

Diamonds captain Liz Watson said the Ferns’ efforts against South Africa showed they were on a mission to have on-court success.

“Everything going on off the court, that definitely can bring a group together and it’s definitely done that for them so far,” Watson said.

“We know they’re going to be super strong. Regardless of anything that’s going on off the court with them, they’re very professional – they turn up, they play with so much pride for their country.

“So whether Noels is there or not there, I know they’re still going to be incredibly tough opposition for us.”

Originally published as Diamonds coach, captain warn Silver Ferns controversy can galvanise New Zealand team