Silver Ferns captain Ameliaranne Ekenasio Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Analysis - It's hard to see how the Silver Ferns are going to reverse a trend which has seen England beat them more often than not in recent times.
The England Roses' 59-55 win over the Silver Ferns in the second Test in Porirua last night secured the visitors the Taini Jamison Trophy series.
Needing victory to keep the three-test series alive, New Zealand won the first quarter by three goals and took a one goal lead into halftime but let the Roses back into the game in the third quarter and could not catch them.
It's the third loss in a row the Silver Ferns have suffered to the Roses, who are ranked third in the world.
In the 11 Tests played between the sides since 2022 - the Silver Ferns have lost seven of them.
England wins over the Silver Ferns used to be very rare.
Silver Ferns Parris Mason (L) with England Helen Housby during the 2024 Taini Jamison Trophy series. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Before last night's game the Silver Ferns held a 93 win, 18 loss and two draw record against England in 113 previous meetings going back to 1963.
England are obviously improving but it feels like the Silver Ferns, who are ranked second in the world, are standing still.
As capable as she is, the Silver Ferns coach Dame Noeline Taurua knows there are other things she's up against and it's not just talent.
With around 1.3 million now playing the game in England, thanks to the increased popularity of the sport over there, the difference in depth is obvious.
And it's no accident that the Roses have improved off the back of increased investment in the sport in England, which Netball New Zealand can't compete with financially.
The Roses programme, now in its ninth year, is a full-time centralised programme and consists of extended training camps.
Dame Noeline gets a handful of camps with her players across the year and she's lucky if they last more than three days at a time.
"The depth that they have, not only that [but] the money they have as well in regards to their systems that they have underneath and their programmes. They are very strong and they are starting to build some nice base of players …I think they've improved massively and very confident," Dame Noeline said.
The Roses have benefitted hugely as a result of some of their top players competing in the Australian domestic league.
The prime example is shooter Helen Housby, who showed her worth again last night and is now one of the best netballers in the world.
Netball New Zealand's eligibility policy however, means very few Silver Ferns venture to the Australian league because it rules them out of the black dress.
But the big difference between England now and sides of the past is that young players who haven't had that international exposure are Test ready.
In the past rookies like Lois Pearson and Liv Tchine would have been schooled by the Silver Ferns and Australia but both players have had impressive performances against the world number one and two sides over the past two weeks.
Silver Ferns captain Ameliaranne Ekenasio said England had taken another step up.
"Some of their players who've come in, we haven't played them before but they've come in and they are starting players and they are absolutely delivering out on court so that's a real challenge for us. Then there's playmakers like Helen Housby out there who really does control the court so they are a really quality team," Ekenasio said.
Silver Ferns Maddy Gordon during the 2024 Taini Jamison Trophy series. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Last night was the first time the Roses have won the first two Tests of a three game series against the Ferns.
For England Roses coach Jess Thirlby, the progress is tangible.
"To take the series in the first two tests … we've brought far more experienced teams here before and not found a way to do what we've done today so I think it's another great sign of progress," Thirlby said.
"Lois [Pearson] is playing in her second choice position so this is kind of like unchartered territory for us to blood in players - for them to step in and make a real difference straight away."
Things are only going to get better for netball in England.
Next year the relaunched Netball Super League (NSL) will mark a significant step towards professionalisation for their domestic competition.
"It's much needed, it's long overdue, but we are also under no illusion that it will still take time.
"It is going to be important because we're trying to close a gap that is really difficult in terms of the intensity of what we put ourselves through when we come on tours like this. We can't mimic that at home yet."
The third test is in Invercargill on Sunday night.
