Barbados skipper, Wing Attack, Damisha Croney, says her Barbados Gems are still in good spirits despite a 78-25 drubbing at the hands of former World Champions New Zealand.
New Zealand started quickly, leading 16-9 in the first quarter, before dominating the second to go into the half leading 42-14. The Gems would not recover, as the Silver Ferns pressed home their advantage in the second half, scoring 19 points in the third quarter to ensure the result going into the final quarter. Already leading, 61-20, they would slow ever so slightly, scoring 17 goals to the Gems’ six.
The Gems skipper took heart in the way the Caribbean side started the game, but admitted the Silver Ferns were too fast and too strong for her team.
“We didn't take the W today. It was a challenging game as expected going up against a team in the top 5 in the World who are also past World Champions,” said Croney.
“We started well in the first quarter, which ended 9-16 in their favour. The speed posed a challenge for us as the game progressed but I am very pleased with the great passages of plays that the team presented,” she said.
While the game was a lost cause for the Gems, the team did get a glorious chance to look at what works and what doesn’t against World-Class opposition.
“We were able to work on new combinations and get all 12 players on court,” said Croney.
For Babrados, Latonia Blackman had 3-4 from goal shoot, while Brianna Holder had four goals from six attempts.
Shonica Wharton, despite coming out on the losing end of affairs, had a good time in the circle, scoring 14 goals from just 16 attempts, while Sheniqua Thomas took six shots, sinking four.
The four were up against the powerful shooting of Maria Falou, 21 from 24, Te Paea Selby-Rickit, 20 from 22, and the impressive Bailey Mes, 30 from 33. Ameliaranne Ekenasio scored seven goals from her eight attempts.
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Black Caps monitoring Boult, Australia unchanged
New Zealand are monitoring Trent Boult's fitness ahead of the first Test against an unchanged Australia side at Perth Stadium.
Boult has been troubled by a side strain and could miss the day-night contest, which starts on Thursday.
Batsman Ross Taylor (thumb) and all-rounder Colin de Grandhomme (abdominal muscle) are set to feature in the first of three Tests between the trans-Tasman rivals.
Black Caps captain Kane Williamson said of Boult's availability on the eve of the match: "We're going to have another look today before deciding anything for Thursday.
"I think you look at it as a long-term decision in terms of this whole series. He has tracked really nicely and felt really good on Tuesday."
Lockie Ferguson could make his debut in the longest format after the paceman missed out in a 1-0 win over England.
"It’s exciting we've got Lockie in our squad to consider him," said Williamson. "It's exciting to have a guy in our camp who can bowl at that speed."
Australia have gone with the same side that completed a whitewash of Pakistan.
"We've been playing some really good cricket, happy with the way it's going so we're trying to get a consistent team together and as I touched on after Adelaide, the great thing is we've got guys that are performing really well," Australia skipper Tim Paine said.
"That's what we wanted so we're going to go with the same team."
Foster vows to 'reinvent' himself as New Zealand boss
Ian Foster knows he will have to "reinvent" himself after stepping up to replace Steve Hansen as head coach of New Zealand.
Foster was on Wednesday appointed as All Blacks boss on a two-year deal.
The 54-year-old spent eight years as assistant to Hansen, who left his post following the Rugby World Cup.
Foster is aware he must stamp his own mark on the role in order to make New Zealand the best in the world once again after they were beaten by England at the semi-final stage in Japan.
"I guess I've got a job now to reinvent myself a bit with the public and with the media." said Foster.
"I've been eight years as an assistant coach and my job was to try to be the best assistant the All Blacks needed me to be.
"We've had a big fella [Hansen] there who I love greatly and he's got his own style and my style has been to complement that.
"Now it's time for you to see me in a new light and that's up to me to show you that I'm innovative, I've got a sense of direction of where I want this team to go, and I'm extremely passionate about adding a new touch to it and to really grow and get some mana back on the field, which we feel we might have lost."
Foster, whose contract starts at the beginning of 2020, got the nod over Crusaders head coach Scott Robertson, who was also interviewed for the job.
Incoming New Zealand Rugby chief Mark Robinson hinted Robertson's time may come to take charge of his country.
"As someone who knows Razor well as a former team-mate, he was a very impressive candidate and these decisions are never easy." said Robinson.
"We know Razor is an outstanding coach and I have no doubt he’ll have a big future in our game at international level."
Foster named All Blacks head coach
Ian Foster will step up from assistant to head coach of the All Blacks, it was confirmed on Wednesday.
Foster replaces Steve Hansen at the helm of New Zealand on a two-year deal beginning in 2020, New Zealand Rugby (NZR) announced.
The 54-year-old has been an All Blacks assistant coach since 2012.
"The NZR board has today ratified Ian Foster as the new head coach of the All Blacks from 2020," NZR chairman Brent Impey said in a statement.
"He brings world-class international experience to the role, an incredibly strong coaching team, and we think he'll do an outstanding job.
"The interview process was extensive and really difficult, which reflects the very strong applications from both candidates."
Foster was delighted to take the job, with Crusaders head coach Scott Robertson having also been interviewed.
"I feel truly privileged and honoured to be given this opportunity and I can't wait to lead the team into the next chapter of what is a remarkable legacy," he said.
"I'm incredibly proud of what we have achieved in the All Blacks over the last eight years and I'm excited and energised by a new coaching team who will join me.
"It's incredibly humbling to be appointed to the job and I have a strong desire to serve the jersey well and represent New Zealand to the best of my ability."
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