Netball: Shaping up for Silver Ferns stardom

Cathrine Latu is being groomed to take over from Irene van Dyk. Photo / Getty Images

The ledger may be square two games into the new era of transtasman netball rivalry, but there is some suggestion Australia may soon surge ahead.

While her counterpart has inherited a largely young Australian side with plenty of development left in them, Silver Ferns coach Waimarama Taumaunu is likely to experience a bit of movement in her squad over the next 18 months. The Ferns are expected to go through a rebuilding phase in the next couple of seasons, with some key players nearing the end of their careers.

Midcourt veteran Temepara George was the first to step down after the July world championships, and while Irene van Dyk and Leana de Bruin are showing no signs of slowing down, Taumaunu will not be counting on the former South African internationals sticking around for a further four years.

Without any pinnacle events on the calendar for two more years, others in the squad may see it as an opportune time to start or extend their families.

Australian coach Lisa Alexander acknowledges she is in a strong position, having taken over a world champion team that as a group are still very new and inexperienced.

But she says she expects New Zealand will remain extremely competitive even during a rebuilding phase.

"Obviously playing-numbers-wise, Australia is always going to be better off than New Zealand. But New Zealand has this quality of being able to put the best together and being able to produce, and they always seem to find those players that pop up at the right time, like Kayla Cullen, that can step up to the mark very quickly."

So who are set to be the stars under the Silver Ferns' new coaching regime?

Laura Langman

Laura Langman has effectively been a mainstay in the Silver Ferns line-up since she first donned the black dress as a teenager, taking the court in every New Zealand test since her debut.

But at just 25, Langman still has plenty of netball left in her and the versatile midcourter will be key to Taumaunu's plans. She is often compared to the likes of Sandra Edge as one of the greatest midcourters New Zealand has produced and it is hard to see anybody wresting the centre bib away from Langman over the next few years.

Casey Williams

Taumaunu has described Williams as easily the most talented athlete she has worked with, and, once fit, the courageous captain will be the linchpin in the New Zealand defensive end.

While Leana de Bruin and Anna Scarlett have done a superb job in the present series, the Ferns are missing a certain hard edge to their defensive end. The only question mark is whether Williams' precious pins can hold out another four years.

The 26-year-old has battled ankle and knee problems throughout her career. But the Ferns coaching staff hope giving her a full off-season to recuperate from ankle surgery will prolong her career.

Cathrine Latu

New Zealand have a clear succession plan in the shooting circle for when the dark day comes and Irene van Dyk decides to hang up her bib. After serving out her four-year stand-down from international netball, former Samoan shooter Cathrine Latu made her debut for the Ferns this month.

She is being groomed to take over the super-shooting duties from van Dyk, and it is hoped Latu can offer the same high-volume, high-percentage game she plays in the transtasman league at international level. The long-range shooting threat of Maria Tutaia is likely to remain a key part of the Ferns' attacking strategy, but the dominant shooting role will fall to Latu.

Camilla Lees

With the retirement of Temepara George, and the future of Liana Leota unclear beyond this season, a swift promotion to the Silver Ferns' starting line-up is looking likely for one of the fringe players in the squad.

Central Pulse midcourter Camilla Lees has long been tipped as a future star of the Ferns, but her medical studies prevented her from taking part in the current series against Australia and adding to the three test caps she earned at the beginning of the year in England.

Renowned for her fitness and strong work ethic, Lees hasn't always stood out at ANZ Championship level, but the Ferns coaching staff will be looking to fast-track her development with some consistent court-time in the New Zealand set-up.

Kayla Cullen

Some have predicted a move to the midcourt is next up for the shooter-cum-defender, but both her franchise coach and Ferns management believe Cullen has found her home in the defence end.

Taumaunu has said previously she is excited about the opportunity to work with the youngster, and will back herself to mould Cullen, who at 19 is still a very raw talent, into a tough and uncompromising defender.

The teenager is tipped to be one of the stars of Silver Ferns sides in coming years, but with a sometimes too-casual approach to her training, it is Cullen herself who will be the biggest obstacle to her getting there.

By Dana Johannsen