Star Silver Ferns shooter Grace Nweke has made it clear where she stands on the future of embattled coach Dame Noeline Taurua.
Nweke was acting captain in the third Test against South Africa in Invercargill on Sunday night, where the Silver Ferns survived a major scare to beat the visitors 57-56.
It looked like New Zealand were on the verge of losing to the Proteas for just the second time ever but a last minute turnover and converted shot denied South Africa a rare win.
Netball New Zealand dropped a bombshell two weeks ago when it announced that Taurua and her coaching cohort would be stood down for the series.
It said discussions with Dame Noeline and the Silver Ferns management team concerning proposed changes to the high performance programme and environment had not been resolved.
RNZ understands the issues trace back to a training camp in January. Following the tour, two players approached the NZ Netball Players' Association on behalf of a larger group of up to seven players, who raised concerns about Taurua's leadership and communication style.
Players alleged the environment had become "psychologically unsafe". Later an independent review highlighted "significant issues" within the Silver Ferns environment.
In the post match-presentation to conclude the South Africa series, Nweke asked if she could take the microphone as the presenter was about to wrap up.
"I think it's remiss to celebrate the success without acknowledging Noeline Taurua and the work she's done for this team," Nweke told the Invercargill crowd.
"It's been really hard for this group obviously with the change and adjusting on the fly and I'm so proud of the girls for banding together to put out a performance and taking it three-zip."
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Nweke thanked Yvette McCausland-Durie and Liana Leota, who had stepped as interim coaches for the series.
"… Who have been able to lead our group and keep us together, we could not have done this without them so really very blessed to have them support us."
The 41-Test cap Silver Fern debuted in 2021 and Taurua has been her Silver Ferns coach from the start.
An emotional Nweke then looked straight down the camera:
"Going forward Noels [Noeline Taurua] if you're listening we love you and we miss you and we want you back here, you've done so much for this group and the work you've done this whole year, you deserve to here and we want you back Noels."
Netball New Zealand has said it hopes to reconcile the situation with Taurua.
It remains to be seen whether than can happen before the next series, with the Silver Ferns due to meet Australia in three week's for the Constellation Cup.
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