October 21, 2025 • 6 mins
The Silver Ferns suffered a heavy defeat on Friday night falling 69 - 52 in the opening match of the Constellation Cup in Melbourne.
With the second game fast approaching, the Ferns will be looking to bounce back and level the series as they return home for the final two games.
Liana Leota is the assistant coach for the Silver Ferns and she revealed how she planned to turn the team around.
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:06):
You're listening to the Sports Talk podcast with Dancy Wildegrave
from News Talk ZEDB.
Speaker 2 (00:12):
Let's move into the Silver Ferns camps to try to
overcome that heavy defeat to the Australians last Friday night,
So they plug in tomorrow nights try and level the
Constellation Cup. Joined now by Leanna Liotza, the assistant coach
of the Silver Funds, to discuss what exactly went wrong
on Friday and how things are in the camps they
prepare to face Australia again tomorrow night in Sydney. Leana,
(00:34):
thanks for.
Speaker 3 (00:35):
Joining us, No, thank you for having me.
Speaker 2 (00:37):
Well, how's the mood in camp after game one as
you look ahead to game two?
Speaker 3 (00:43):
Yeah, definitely really disappointed with the performance and I suppose
the scoreline after tess one, we were in it for
the first three quarters. I still thought that there was
opportunity for us to take the lead, especially in the
first quarter, but we didn't put our flot down. So
looking at ourselves this last couple of days and where
(01:03):
we can add real impact and value. Think it's not
a physical change. I think definitely it's a cognitive and
a mental change in how we see the game and
how we last, and we know Ozzie's are so resilient.
One comes, the next coming, and it's a constant flow.
So for us, we're really watching where we can add
(01:25):
simple twigs, gaining more ball on defense, but just looking
at that mental and cognitive overload and that pressure.
Speaker 2 (01:33):
Can you put your finger on how it did slip
away in that fourth quarter, because, as you say, you're
right in it at three quarter time.
Speaker 3 (01:41):
Yeah, I think there were read planks earlier in the game.
We just weren't exposed in the first three quarters, but
definitely in the fourth. I think we all went on
and did our own jobs individually rather than leaning into
each other collectively. When they started getting those runs, and
I think it's just when we can come together and
find a structure that works, even just to get scoreboard
(02:02):
pressure us back on. They had a few big runs
and it was just too hard to peg back.
Speaker 2 (02:08):
How much do you obviously obviously want to get the
ball into grace as much as possible, but perhaps it
wasn't as seamless, maybe as it might have been, might
otherwise have been. Is that something you need to look at,
that feeding into the circle.
Speaker 3 (02:20):
Yeah, I think we probably gave them too much respect
in that aspect. I think we could have been direct
a lot more. I thought the one on one opportunity
that we gave there was more of that throughout the
game when we look back at the analysis piece. So
definitely been more direct, I think more individually attacking that
three foot marker. That's Ousier renounced to put that up
(02:41):
and that also pushes us away from each other and
isolates us. So just been a bit more brave and
courageous around attacking that three foot marker, but also the boss.
Please that sounds clear. That's our New Zealand game style.
So just going back to things that work for us
and how we know that that has been in Australia
in the past.
Speaker 2 (03:03):
And at the other end of the quarter as well.
I guess trying to put pressure on in their shooting
circle of your defensive circle.
Speaker 3 (03:09):
Definitely, and we spoke a lot about just doing our
own jobs and if we do that as a collective,
we'll win turnover board. So I think we reverted back
to helping each other rather than focusing on that one
v one task and putting that pressure on for that
whole game. So definitely that's going to be huge for
us in this next game.
Speaker 2 (03:28):
Martina Salmon, who first experience against Australia, How do you
feel that she went and that are the outing?
Speaker 3 (03:35):
Yeah? No, I think she's great. I think she's coming
along nicely for someone so young and with little experience.
The more time we can put her out there and
under that pressure that the better she's going to get.
So yes, we know she's got a big responsibility at
goal attack being very new, but I think for us
we're happy with where she's going. We can't push. We'd
(03:55):
love to give her, have given her experience before, but
she's just going to have to learn on the run,
and I think the players around her, especially as the
senior players, give her that confidence and I think make
sure she's connected so she doesn't feel overwhelmed at time.
But for us, no, we're just going to give her
that biz and let her owner and in her own time,
but also demand understandards of a selfon that's been there
(04:17):
for a very long time.
Speaker 2 (04:19):
What do you expect from Australia in that second test
tomorrow night?
Speaker 3 (04:24):
Yeah, well Test one, I thought they were very clinical,
more clinical than I've seen them before. They played position well,
they work, They've also circle agent and we're happy to wait.
So for us, we've got to put more pressure on
them earlier, make them want to go direct a bit more,
and force them apart defensively. So for us, I don't
(04:44):
think it's about them. I think it's what we can
do to play pressure for them, to make them make
their decisions a little bit harder.
Speaker 2 (04:52):
As we're discussed, it doesn't feel like there are major
tweaks that you need. I mean, you look at the
score line and it looks like a big loss, but
it was at that final quarter that really were shot out.
So you feel like just those major, those minor tweaks
we talked about, and you know, the CI right back
in it for that second test.
Speaker 3 (05:08):
Yeah, definitely, And I think with that last quarter in particular,
we went out on our own a vengeance rather than
leaning in when we needed to. But again, I think
in the first quarter there was moments where we could
have taken the lead from then, but we didn't. So
it's just recognizing that earlier. I know the girls talked
about their like chasing times, but hey, you'd rather be
(05:30):
in the lead and then push it lead. So for
us as coaches, we're definitely looking at winning bought early
and winning it in that first quarter, attacking the first
six minutes of every game, just to build that momentum
and add that pressure. But definitely, no, I don't think
there's too much. We've just got to come out and
show everyone what we've got and how we really want
(05:52):
to play.
Speaker 2 (05:53):
There's a lot obviously going on outside the squad. Has
it been valuable being across the Tasman sort of out
of the limelight. I guess. I know you're obviously playing Ittborne,
you're doing your media and various things, but being sort
of away from home, has that been valuable just to
galvanize this team together.
Speaker 3 (06:06):
Yeah, I'm unsure. I'm not one that is on social media,
so I don't read too much. I think we're either
we've been, whether it was Tomy Jamison or our camp
before Auckland, before we came here. I thought our bubble
has been really good. We've got on and did our job.
I think now it's just about execution and walking our talk.
Speaker 1 (06:25):
For more from Sports Talk, listen live to news talks
that'd be from seven pm weekdays, or follow the podcast
on iHeartRadio.
You're listening to the Sports Talk podcast with Dancy Wildegrave
from News Talk ZEDB.
Speaker 2 (00:12):
Let's move into the Silver Ferns camps to try to
overcome that heavy defeat to the Australians last Friday night,
So they plug in tomorrow nights try and level the
Constellation Cup. Joined now by Leanna Liotza, the assistant coach
of the Silver Funds, to discuss what exactly went wrong
on Friday and how things are in the camps they
prepare to face Australia again tomorrow night in Sydney. Leana,
(00:34):
thanks for.
Speaker 3 (00:35):
Joining us, No, thank you for having me.
Speaker 2 (00:37):
Well, how's the mood in camp after game one as
you look ahead to game two?
Speaker 3 (00:43):
Yeah, definitely really disappointed with the performance and I suppose
the scoreline after tess one, we were in it for
the first three quarters. I still thought that there was
opportunity for us to take the lead, especially in the
first quarter, but we didn't put our flot down. So
looking at ourselves this last couple of days and where
(01:03):
we can add real impact and value. Think it's not
a physical change. I think definitely it's a cognitive and
a mental change in how we see the game and
how we last, and we know Ozzie's are so resilient.
One comes, the next coming, and it's a constant flow.
So for us, we're really watching where we can add
(01:25):
simple twigs, gaining more ball on defense, but just looking
at that mental and cognitive overload and that pressure.
Speaker 2 (01:33):
Can you put your finger on how it did slip
away in that fourth quarter, because, as you say, you're
right in it at three quarter time.
Speaker 3 (01:41):
Yeah, I think there were read planks earlier in the game.
We just weren't exposed in the first three quarters, but
definitely in the fourth. I think we all went on
and did our own jobs individually rather than leaning into
each other collectively. When they started getting those runs, and
I think it's just when we can come together and
find a structure that works, even just to get scoreboard
(02:02):
pressure us back on. They had a few big runs
and it was just too hard to peg back.
Speaker 2 (02:08):
How much do you obviously obviously want to get the
ball into grace as much as possible, but perhaps it
wasn't as seamless, maybe as it might have been, might
otherwise have been. Is that something you need to look at,
that feeding into the circle.
Speaker 3 (02:20):
Yeah, I think we probably gave them too much respect
in that aspect. I think we could have been direct
a lot more. I thought the one on one opportunity
that we gave there was more of that throughout the
game when we look back at the analysis piece. So
definitely been more direct, I think more individually attacking that
three foot marker. That's Ousier renounced to put that up
(02:41):
and that also pushes us away from each other and
isolates us. So just been a bit more brave and
courageous around attacking that three foot marker, but also the boss.
Please that sounds clear. That's our New Zealand game style.
So just going back to things that work for us
and how we know that that has been in Australia
in the past.
Speaker 2 (03:03):
And at the other end of the quarter as well.
I guess trying to put pressure on in their shooting
circle of your defensive circle.
Speaker 3 (03:09):
Definitely, and we spoke a lot about just doing our
own jobs and if we do that as a collective,
we'll win turnover board. So I think we reverted back
to helping each other rather than focusing on that one
v one task and putting that pressure on for that
whole game. So definitely that's going to be huge for
us in this next game.
Speaker 2 (03:28):
Martina Salmon, who first experience against Australia, How do you
feel that she went and that are the outing?
Speaker 3 (03:35):
Yeah? No, I think she's great. I think she's coming
along nicely for someone so young and with little experience.
The more time we can put her out there and
under that pressure that the better she's going to get.
So yes, we know she's got a big responsibility at
goal attack being very new, but I think for us
we're happy with where she's going. We can't push. We'd
(03:55):
love to give her, have given her experience before, but
she's just going to have to learn on the run,
and I think the players around her, especially as the
senior players, give her that confidence and I think make
sure she's connected so she doesn't feel overwhelmed at time.
But for us, no, we're just going to give her
that biz and let her owner and in her own time,
but also demand understandards of a selfon that's been there
(04:17):
for a very long time.
Speaker 2 (04:19):
What do you expect from Australia in that second test
tomorrow night?
Speaker 3 (04:24):
Yeah, well Test one, I thought they were very clinical,
more clinical than I've seen them before. They played position well,
they work, They've also circle agent and we're happy to wait.
So for us, we've got to put more pressure on
them earlier, make them want to go direct a bit more,
and force them apart defensively. So for us, I don't
(04:44):
think it's about them. I think it's what we can
do to play pressure for them, to make them make
their decisions a little bit harder.
Speaker 2 (04:52):
As we're discussed, it doesn't feel like there are major
tweaks that you need. I mean, you look at the
score line and it looks like a big loss, but
it was at that final quarter that really were shot out.
So you feel like just those major, those minor tweaks
we talked about, and you know, the CI right back
in it for that second test.
Speaker 3 (05:08):
Yeah, definitely, And I think with that last quarter in particular,
we went out on our own a vengeance rather than
leaning in when we needed to. But again, I think
in the first quarter there was moments where we could
have taken the lead from then, but we didn't. So
it's just recognizing that earlier. I know the girls talked
about their like chasing times, but hey, you'd rather be
(05:30):
in the lead and then push it lead. So for
us as coaches, we're definitely looking at winning bought early
and winning it in that first quarter, attacking the first
six minutes of every game, just to build that momentum
and add that pressure. But definitely, no, I don't think
there's too much. We've just got to come out and
show everyone what we've got and how we really want
(05:52):
to play.
Speaker 2 (05:53):
There's a lot obviously going on outside the squad. Has
it been valuable being across the Tasman sort of out
of the limelight. I guess. I know you're obviously playing Ittborne,
you're doing your media and various things, but being sort
of away from home, has that been valuable just to
galvanize this team together.
Speaker 3 (06:06):
Yeah, I'm unsure. I'm not one that is on social media,
so I don't read too much. I think we're either
we've been, whether it was Tomy Jamison or our camp
before Auckland, before we came here. I thought our bubble
has been really good. We've got on and did our job.
I think now it's just about execution and walking our talk.
Speaker 1 (06:25):
For more from Sports Talk, listen live to news talks
that'd be from seven pm weekdays, or follow the podcast
on iHeartRadio.
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