Commentators Call with Jenny Woods
August 3, 2015
SKY Sport commentator Jenny Woods will join the Netball World Cup SYDNEY 2015 (NWC2015) commentary team, alongside fellow New Zealander – former Silver Ferns vice-captain Temepara Bailey.
silverferns.co.nz caught up with Jenny to get her thoughts ahead of NWC2015.
The Silver Ferns leave the country today for Netball World Cup SYDNEY 2015. Their departure has been accompanied by the usual official farewells and hoopla – as well as a quiet undercurrent of excitement.
A few months ago this may not have been the case. The country’s Netball ego was pretty bruised after last year’s Commonwealth Games. Regardless of the whys and wherefores, 2014 was a tough year for the Silver Ferns, and some felt there was little hope that 2015 would be any better.
On the surface, the ANZ Championship did little to change that perception with only the Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic looking like true contenders. But there were individual performances across the five Kiwi franchises that gave cause for hope.
The likes of Malia Paseka, Sam Sinclair, Gina Crampton, Storm Purvis, and Phoenix Karaka offered signs that the next generation was ready to step up. The big question was whether the New Zealand selectors would take the chance.
However the inclusion of Paseka, Karaka and Bailey Mes in the Netball World Cup side has injected some life into their passionate SilverFans.
While it’s hard to know how much weight to put on wins over Fiji and South Africa, it’s obvious things have changed. This New Zealand side has options. It’s always had them at the defensive end – now they’re available on attack as well.
Perhaps the only alarm bell sounding is the reliance on Laura Langman. She has been a common denominator in whatever combination Waimarama Taumaunu has put out. I’ve often pondered whether more of her could be cloned in a petri dish, but it’s too late for that, we’re out of time!
That aside, Taumaunu and co have given themselves the best shot possible.
They face an imposing Australian side which at the moment can claim to be the best of everything in the Netball world. Throw in a re-worked England side and the resurgent Jamaicans, and there’s reason to think this could be the best Netball World Cup yet!
Netball fans can tune into SKY Sport to catch all the action from Allphones Arena at NWC2015 LIVE throughout the 10 day competition – tell me more. (check local guides)
Follow the Silver Ferns on their NWC2015 journey by joining the team as a SilverFan! As a SilverFan you’ll get exclusive content, special offers and a members’-only e-newsletter. Join the team, become a SilverFan today!
silverferns.co.nz caught up with Jenny to get her thoughts ahead of NWC2015.
The Silver Ferns leave the country today for Netball World Cup SYDNEY 2015. Their departure has been accompanied by the usual official farewells and hoopla – as well as a quiet undercurrent of excitement.
A few months ago this may not have been the case. The country’s Netball ego was pretty bruised after last year’s Commonwealth Games. Regardless of the whys and wherefores, 2014 was a tough year for the Silver Ferns, and some felt there was little hope that 2015 would be any better.
On the surface, the ANZ Championship did little to change that perception with only the Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic looking like true contenders. But there were individual performances across the five Kiwi franchises that gave cause for hope.
The likes of Malia Paseka, Sam Sinclair, Gina Crampton, Storm Purvis, and Phoenix Karaka offered signs that the next generation was ready to step up. The big question was whether the New Zealand selectors would take the chance.
However the inclusion of Paseka, Karaka and Bailey Mes in the Netball World Cup side has injected some life into their passionate SilverFans.
While it’s hard to know how much weight to put on wins over Fiji and South Africa, it’s obvious things have changed. This New Zealand side has options. It’s always had them at the defensive end – now they’re available on attack as well.
Perhaps the only alarm bell sounding is the reliance on Laura Langman. She has been a common denominator in whatever combination Waimarama Taumaunu has put out. I’ve often pondered whether more of her could be cloned in a petri dish, but it’s too late for that, we’re out of time!
That aside, Taumaunu and co have given themselves the best shot possible.
They face an imposing Australian side which at the moment can claim to be the best of everything in the Netball world. Throw in a re-worked England side and the resurgent Jamaicans, and there’s reason to think this could be the best Netball World Cup yet!
Netball fans can tune into SKY Sport to catch all the action from Allphones Arena at NWC2015 LIVE throughout the 10 day competition – tell me more. (check local guides)
Follow the Silver Ferns on their NWC2015 journey by joining the team as a SilverFan! As a SilverFan you’ll get exclusive content, special offers and a members’-only e-newsletter. Join the team, become a SilverFan today!