Source: Radio New Zealand
New Zealand Tall Ferns Head Coach, Natalie Hurst talks to her players Jayne Russell / PHOTOSPORT
Tall Ferns coach Natalie Hurst admits her side needs to handle the pressure a bit better if they’re to get some wins at their World Cup qualifying tournament.
New Zealand was beaten 99-50 by sixth-ranked Spain in their opening game in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
While New Zealand held a brief lead early in the game, Spain were up by 11 at quarter-time, 25 at half time and 41 at three-quarter time.
Spain shot 53 percent from the field, while New Zealand managed just 31, although the Kiwis did out rebound their opponents.
Ella Tofaeono top scored with 12 points, while Sharne Robati had 12 and Tegan Graham nine. Tofaeono and Rebecca Pizzey had seven rebounds each.
All 12 Tall Ferns got time on court including debutants Jade Kirisome, Emma Rogers and Briarley Rogers.
What upset Hurst was turnovers, with Spain scoring 35 of their points off New Zealand mistakes.
“Turnovers killed us from the start of the game and [is] obviously an area we want to clean up,” Hurst said afterwards.
“A different style to what we’re used to, we don’t get to play the European style a lot, Spain are obviously a good team, super athletic and we struggled with that.
“We need to handle the pressure that other teams are going to apply to us.”
Before the tournament the Tall Ferns had targeted other games in their group for wins, knowing that Spain and the United States are world powers in the sport.
“A good first hit out for us, positives for us we win the rebound count, we hung together as a team for 40 minutes and so we have to learn quickly and move on quickly as well,” Hurst said.
New Zealand’s next game is against Italy on Friday. They also play defending world champions the USA, Puerto Rico and Senegal.
The top three teams (excluding the USA who have already qualified) from this six-team tournament will earn spots at the World Cup in Germany in September.
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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand
