October 24, 2025 • 6 mins
The Silver Ferns suffered another heavy defeat on Wednesday night, losing 68-51 to Australia in Sydney. If they are to keep the Constellation Cup they must win the first game in the New Zealand leg of the series in Hamilton on Sunday night.
Adam spoke with Silver Fern midcourter Kate Heffernan to preview the third match of the series on Sunday.
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Speaker 1 (00:06):
You're listening to the All Sport Breakfast podcast with Darcy
Waldegrave from News Talk.
Speaker 2 (00:11):
SEDB Let's crack on straight into it though and Talk Netball.
It's been a challenging period on and off the court
for the Silver Ferns. Obviously the coaching situation are still
no major signs of it being resolved, despite some murmurings
in the last twenty four hours that Noline Todoer could
be reinstated as early as next week, which had a
(00:32):
bit more about that with our panel after eight thirty.
But for the Silver Ferns on the court, two tough
defeats of double digit margins in the first two Constellation
Cup tests against Australia on that side of the Tasman.
The series now returns to New Zealand where there'll be
a test in Hamilton tomorrow and then in christ Church
in a few days time to wrap up the series.
(00:52):
Let's set into the camp now find out what the
Silver Ferns made of their first two test defeats. Mid quarter.
Kate Heffernan with us now Morning to U. Kate, how
has the team reflected on things so far at the
halfway point of this competition.
Speaker 3 (01:07):
Yeah, Obviously we're disappointed with the results of the first
two games, and we feel that, yeah, a lot better
than what we've shown and what the score line blew
out to. But I think we actually, I think we've
actually got a good amount of clarity going forward and
the little adjustments we need to make. So while they
(01:29):
have been tough games and definitely not what we wanted
to put out there, I think we are actually we've learned,
and I think we're pretty excited to get to New
Zealand and make some adjustments.
Speaker 2 (01:38):
The first halves of both games, you've since sort of
stayed very competitive with the Australia. Is how encouraging has
that been as you look back and I guess get
ready for these next two tests?
Speaker 3 (01:50):
Yeah, exactly. The first half we've been right in the game,
and I think while we have been in the game,
we have sort of just been behind. So I think
getting an early lead against Australia's massive. Being able to
come out strong and get a little bit of momentum
from get go. I think we started to find there
a little bit at the end of the second quarter,
but then they came out firing in the third and
(02:12):
we just did not match that at all. So I
think while it is encouraging that we can we definitely
have belief that we can match them for a full
sixty and that we're good enough to beat them, but
we do need to make little adjustments. And yeah, and
we're going to be looking at the game hard, and
we're feeling confident going into the third game that we
(02:32):
can definitely stick it to them for sixty minutes and
went on home.
Speaker 2 (02:35):
So, yeah, you said adjustments there. Where as you look
at it, what are the biggest changes that you'd like
to make that that might bridge that gap and score
by the end of the game.
Speaker 3 (02:44):
Yeah, I think defensively, we need to go back to
what we're good at. I think we're they're obviously, they're
very they play all year round together, they've got great connections,
they play with full speed, and we're being caught chasing
a little bit. So going back to what we're really
good at, and yeah, we're sort of leading them play
their game and they're pulling us away from ours. So defensively,
I think we're going to just try and own our
(03:05):
space a little bit more, go back to the classic
sort of and defensive kind of structure and try and
really nail that because in the past it's really worked
against them and attacking wise, while not taking any credit
away from them there, the end has been really strong.
A lot of them have a lot of the I
guess the eras were made have been as olf forced
by their pressure, but as also just been disciplined going
(03:26):
back to the basics and nailing them.
Speaker 2 (03:29):
And when defense. How's the sort of makeup of the
MIDCLL played outs for you and your role compared with
I guess the likes of Maddy and Mila and others
that have been slotting in these first tests so far.
Speaker 3 (03:39):
Yeah, I we're pretty lucky with how strong and mid quarters.
I believe we've got a lot of strengths in there
and a lot of different options that we can play.
But yeah, I've definitely I've played with Matt's for a
few years in love playing with her, and Mela's really
coming strong with that wing a tech position. But we've
also got Kimmy Poy and Peter Tooya but who who
are just amazing mid quarters. So we've got a lot
(03:59):
of options and I think that it's definitely a strength
of ours and we can just keep pushing. But I
think going back to playing, you know as star play
and making sure that we don't let them pull off
away from that will be huge in these next two kios.
Speaker 2 (04:10):
How much of a game changer is being able to
play these ones in front of home court?
Speaker 3 (04:14):
Oh, it makes such a difference. We love playing at home.
A crowd is awesome, their fans awesome and to be honest,
Australia while they struggled in the past playing there, so
we could take a bit of confidence from that and
really try and use the crowd to our advantage because
it really does make a difference. Then it makes a
mess of difference for them here on Ozzie Soil two.
So we're just we're excited to be home as it's
obviously been a tough Ozzie League for us and so
(04:36):
we can't wait to get back into New Zealand.
Speaker 2 (04:39):
And Kate, you've had a bit of time in Australia
obviously this last week or so, you're heading back there.
I guess you know, do you have a different mindset
with the fans now, knowing that you know your club
netwill makeup will be slightly different next year.
Speaker 3 (04:50):
Yeah, I'm really excited to head to Adelaide with this
Underbirds really awesome team to join. I think it'd just
be good for me to have a bit of a
change and yeah, play with different people, meet new people,
have different coaches and just I guess outside my comfort
zone big time. So I think it'll be good for me.
But at the moment, really just wanting to get the
job done for Ferns so we can and it'll, I guess,
(05:10):
give me more confidence going into that isis in space
and yes, so definitely have a job to do one
hundred and soil Feran mode at the moment, and but
still looking forward to the change coming in twenty twenty
six with the Thunderds.
Speaker 2 (05:24):
And just obviously it's been a very interesting time leading
up to this series and the last series against South
Africa as well. How have you sort of been able
to put the distractions aside as you get ready to
run out onto the court. Has that been challenging?
Speaker 3 (05:38):
Yeah, I think there's been definitely like a lot, you know,
the challenges have been there and it's been pretty hard
for the group. But I think me personally, I always
find it easier once we're on court or just being
able to focus on the deeplet that's what I I
as soon as we're able to switch on into series mode,
focus on South Africa and now focus on the diamonds,
that's I definitely find that easier without worrying about even
(06:00):
thin that's going on on the outside and being able
to focus on trying to do our job well. I
think we have obviously been a lot going on having
to manage that has been hard for the group, but
I think we're getting there, and I think while we're
I think we're moving in the right direction to hopefully
be able to be dominant in these next two games
in New Zealand.
Speaker 2 (06:18):
Well o, Kate, I know a lot of hope fans
will be excited to see you in action as well,
and Hamilton and christ to it. So thanks for chatting
and good luck with the next two tests of the series.
Appreciate your time, no thanks so much.
Speaker 1 (06:29):
For more from the All Sport Breakfast with Darcy Watergrave,
listen live to News Talk said Be on Saturday mornings,
or follow the podcast on iHeartRadio.
You're listening to the All Sport Breakfast podcast with Darcy
Waldegrave from News Talk.
Speaker 2 (00:11):
SEDB Let's crack on straight into it though and Talk Netball.
It's been a challenging period on and off the court
for the Silver Ferns. Obviously the coaching situation are still
no major signs of it being resolved, despite some murmurings
in the last twenty four hours that Noline Todoer could
be reinstated as early as next week, which had a
(00:32):
bit more about that with our panel after eight thirty.
But for the Silver Ferns on the court, two tough
defeats of double digit margins in the first two Constellation
Cup tests against Australia on that side of the Tasman.
The series now returns to New Zealand where there'll be
a test in Hamilton tomorrow and then in christ Church
in a few days time to wrap up the series.
(00:52):
Let's set into the camp now find out what the
Silver Ferns made of their first two test defeats. Mid quarter.
Kate Heffernan with us now Morning to U. Kate, how
has the team reflected on things so far at the
halfway point of this competition.
Speaker 3 (01:07):
Yeah, Obviously we're disappointed with the results of the first
two games, and we feel that, yeah, a lot better
than what we've shown and what the score line blew
out to. But I think we actually, I think we've
actually got a good amount of clarity going forward and
the little adjustments we need to make. So while they
(01:29):
have been tough games and definitely not what we wanted
to put out there, I think we are actually we've learned,
and I think we're pretty excited to get to New
Zealand and make some adjustments.
Speaker 2 (01:38):
The first halves of both games, you've since sort of
stayed very competitive with the Australia. Is how encouraging has
that been as you look back and I guess get
ready for these next two tests?
Speaker 3 (01:50):
Yeah, exactly. The first half we've been right in the game,
and I think while we have been in the game,
we have sort of just been behind. So I think
getting an early lead against Australia's massive. Being able to
come out strong and get a little bit of momentum
from get go. I think we started to find there
a little bit at the end of the second quarter,
but then they came out firing in the third and
(02:12):
we just did not match that at all. So I
think while it is encouraging that we can we definitely
have belief that we can match them for a full
sixty and that we're good enough to beat them, but
we do need to make little adjustments. And yeah, and
we're going to be looking at the game hard, and
we're feeling confident going into the third game that we
(02:32):
can definitely stick it to them for sixty minutes and
went on home.
Speaker 2 (02:35):
So, yeah, you said adjustments there. Where as you look
at it, what are the biggest changes that you'd like
to make that that might bridge that gap and score
by the end of the game.
Speaker 3 (02:44):
Yeah, I think defensively, we need to go back to
what we're good at. I think we're they're obviously, they're
very they play all year round together, they've got great connections,
they play with full speed, and we're being caught chasing
a little bit. So going back to what we're really
good at, and yeah, we're sort of leading them play
their game and they're pulling us away from ours. So defensively,
I think we're going to just try and own our
(03:05):
space a little bit more, go back to the classic
sort of and defensive kind of structure and try and
really nail that because in the past it's really worked
against them and attacking wise, while not taking any credit
away from them there, the end has been really strong.
A lot of them have a lot of the I
guess the eras were made have been as olf forced
by their pressure, but as also just been disciplined going
(03:26):
back to the basics and nailing them.
Speaker 2 (03:29):
And when defense. How's the sort of makeup of the
MIDCLL played outs for you and your role compared with
I guess the likes of Maddy and Mila and others
that have been slotting in these first tests so far.
Speaker 3 (03:39):
Yeah, I we're pretty lucky with how strong and mid quarters.
I believe we've got a lot of strengths in there
and a lot of different options that we can play.
But yeah, I've definitely I've played with Matt's for a
few years in love playing with her, and Mela's really
coming strong with that wing a tech position. But we've
also got Kimmy Poy and Peter Tooya but who who
are just amazing mid quarters. So we've got a lot
(03:59):
of options and I think that it's definitely a strength
of ours and we can just keep pushing. But I
think going back to playing, you know as star play
and making sure that we don't let them pull off
away from that will be huge in these next two kios.
Speaker 2 (04:10):
How much of a game changer is being able to
play these ones in front of home court?
Speaker 3 (04:14):
Oh, it makes such a difference. We love playing at home.
A crowd is awesome, their fans awesome and to be honest,
Australia while they struggled in the past playing there, so
we could take a bit of confidence from that and
really try and use the crowd to our advantage because
it really does make a difference. Then it makes a
mess of difference for them here on Ozzie Soil two.
So we're just we're excited to be home as it's
obviously been a tough Ozzie League for us and so
(04:36):
we can't wait to get back into New Zealand.
Speaker 2 (04:39):
And Kate, you've had a bit of time in Australia
obviously this last week or so, you're heading back there.
I guess you know, do you have a different mindset
with the fans now, knowing that you know your club
netwill makeup will be slightly different next year.
Speaker 3 (04:50):
Yeah, I'm really excited to head to Adelaide with this
Underbirds really awesome team to join. I think it'd just
be good for me to have a bit of a
change and yeah, play with different people, meet new people,
have different coaches and just I guess outside my comfort
zone big time. So I think it'll be good for me.
But at the moment, really just wanting to get the
job done for Ferns so we can and it'll, I guess,
(05:10):
give me more confidence going into that isis in space
and yes, so definitely have a job to do one
hundred and soil Feran mode at the moment, and but
still looking forward to the change coming in twenty twenty
six with the Thunderds.
Speaker 2 (05:24):
And just obviously it's been a very interesting time leading
up to this series and the last series against South
Africa as well. How have you sort of been able
to put the distractions aside as you get ready to
run out onto the court. Has that been challenging?
Speaker 3 (05:38):
Yeah, I think there's been definitely like a lot, you know,
the challenges have been there and it's been pretty hard
for the group. But I think me personally, I always
find it easier once we're on court or just being
able to focus on the deeplet that's what I I
as soon as we're able to switch on into series mode,
focus on South Africa and now focus on the diamonds,
that's I definitely find that easier without worrying about even
(06:00):
thin that's going on on the outside and being able
to focus on trying to do our job well. I
think we have obviously been a lot going on having
to manage that has been hard for the group, but
I think we're getting there, and I think while we're
I think we're moving in the right direction to hopefully
be able to be dominant in these next two games
in New Zealand.
Speaker 2 (06:18):
Well o, Kate, I know a lot of hope fans
will be excited to see you in action as well,
and Hamilton and christ to it. So thanks for chatting
and good luck with the next two tests of the series.
Appreciate your time, no thanks so much.
Speaker 1 (06:29):
For more from the All Sport Breakfast with Darcy Watergrave,
listen live to News Talk said Be on Saturday mornings,
or follow the podcast on iHeartRadio.
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