Taurua has plenty to ponder

receives the ball uncontested.

‘‘It’s the youngest individuals or combinations that we’ve ever had in the Silver Ferns. But they’re the best, or some of the best, people that we have in New Zealand, the only way that you’re going to learn is getting out there, and sometimes you have good experiences, and [sometimes] not.’’

While Taurua went into the tournament keen to get all players on court, she said her substitutions – the late Phoenix Karaka introduction aside – were not about just handing out game-time for the sake of it, and were instead geared towards winning the contest. Uncapped duo Filda Vui and Mila Reuelu-Buchanan were the two players not part of the 12 against the Diamonds.

The task won’t get any easier against hosts and Commonwealth Games champs England, who hammered South Africa 71-47 in their opener and last September created history with their firstever series win in New Zealand.

‘‘We’ve got to lick the wounds and put our big pants on and be prepared as much as possible, not necessarily physically, but also mentally,’’ Taurua said. ‘‘We just need to take it on the chin and move on.’’