Body Count
Tagged in: Tall Ferns
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New NZ Tall Fern assistant coach Leigh Gooding has been thrown in the deep end as he prepares a beaten-up national womenís team for the William Jones Cup in Taiwan.
The Ferns flew out of Auckland today without head coach Mike McHugh, who is attending his sonís wedding in England, and down to nine able-bodied players.
With guard Aroha Jennings returning to the University of Memphis, the squad was already down to 11. When it assembled for the trip to Taiwan, guard Angela Marino reported with a foot injury and centre Karlene Kingi had a dislocated shoulder.
During the morning practice, guard Micaela Cocks wound up on the wrong end of a team-mateís elbow, opening up a bloody head wound. Fortunately, she was patched up and took full part in the evening practice.
ìNo question, this is a bit of a challenge,î acknowledges Gooding, who was also appointed head coach of the Christchurch Sirens in the defencejobs Australian WNBL last month.
ìIt will certainly be a bit different to the one game I coached in Japan, having to prepare for game after game and dealing with the injuries as well. You can only go with what youíve got.î
The prognosis on Marino and Kingi is that they are unlikely to play, but with ongoing treatment from team doctor Lynne Coleman and physio Karen Sutton, they may just be able to suit up later in the tournament.
ìThe interesting game will be on Sunday [Taiwan Blue] when Noni Wharemate is also unavailable for religious reasons,î says Gooding. ìIt would be nice to have Angela back for that one.î
The Ferns face six games in six days, including a useful looking Australian outfit that features four members of the 2006 world champion line-up – Hollie Grima, Emma Randall, Jenni Screen and Laura Summerton.
The travelling NZ Tall Fern squad is Suzie Bates (Otago), Micaela Cocks (University of Oregon), Rebecca Dew (Harbour), Toni Edmondson (Otago), Karlene Kingi (Harbour/Christchurch Sirens), Angela Marino (Perth Lynx), Jess McCormack (Auckland), Kate McMeeken-Ruscoe (Christchurch Sirens), Natalie Purcell (Harbour/Christchurch Sirens), Lisa Wallbutton (Auckland/Christchurch Sirens), Noni Wharemate (Harbour/Christchurch Sirens)
Williams Jones Cup Schedule
Thursday, July 12 v Taiwan White, 5.30pm
Friday, July 13 v Australia, 5.30pm
Saturday, July 14 v Japan Universities, 7.30pm
Sunday, July 15 v Taiwan Blue, 7.30pm
Monday, July 16 v Athletes In Action, 5.30pm
Tuesday, July 17 v South Korea, 3pm
