Noeline Taurua was announced as Silver Ferns coach in 2018. Photo: RNZ / Cole Eastham-Farrelly
RNZ understands that Dame Noeline Taurua has a meeting with Netball New Zealand tomorrow in what will be an attempt to finally break the Silver Ferns coaching stand-off.
Netball New Zealand dropped a bombshell on 10 September when it announced that Taurua and her coaching cohort would be stood down for the series against South Africa.
With the Silver Ferns due to head into their next camp on 6 October, the clock is ticking to find a resolution between the popular coach, the Players' Association and the national body.
The Silver Ferns meet world number one Australia in the Constellation Cup starting on 17 October.
Yvette McCausland-Durie and Liana Leota stepped in as interim coaches for the Taini Jamison series. The Silver Ferns survived a scare in Invercargill on Sunday night to win the series three-nil.
RNZ understands the pair have been asked to be on standby for the Australia series in the event Taurua does not come back on board.
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.
RNZ has also learnt that several past Silver Ferns have put references forward in support of Noeline Taurua.
A day after the news broke that Taurua was being stood down, former Silver Ferns great Laura Langman wrote a lengthy Facebook post describing it as the "saddest day in NZ netball history".
Several recent Silver Ferns 'liked' Langman's post including former captain Ameliaranne Ekenasio, Phoenix Karaka, and Michaela Sokolich-Beatson.
On Sunday night Silver Fern Grace Nweke made it clear where she stood on the future of the embattled coach. Nweke, who was acting captain for the final test against South Africa, spoke during the post match presentations.
"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," Nweke said.
Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
