Katrina Rore has credited Silver Ferns coach Noeline Taurua for her netball renaissance.
Photo: Photosport
The veteran defender is preparing to play in her third grand final of the year, having already won the ANZ Premiership and the Netball World Cup.
It's a remarkable turnaround from 10 months ago, when Rore had been dropped from the Silver Ferns after leading New Zealand to its worst ever finish at a Commonwealth Games, on the Gold Coast.
She bounced back in the ANZ Premiership, captaining the Central Pulse to its maiden title before being recalled to the Ferns, with whom she went on to play an influential role in the world title win playing in the unfamiliar wing defence position.
Rore, 32, is expected to again wear the WD bib for the New South Wales Swifts in Sunday's Australian Super Netball decider against Taurua's Sunshine Coast Lightning, who are the two-time defending champions.
"I remember when I came to Aussie, that first game we played against Sunshine Coast and I went up to 'Noels' and said thanks for changing me into a wing defence because it gave me an opportunity to come over here and replace a wing D that got injured," Rore said.
"So who knows if I didn't play in the World Cup as a wing D if I'd even be here."
The year has been something Rore has "only ever dreamed of".
"Winning the ANZ Premiership, I've always wanted to do that, obviously wanted to win a World Cup and at the back of my mind I've always wanted to try the SSN comp in Aussie, but never really knew how I could do it without leaving New Zealand.
"This opportunity fell in my lap and now I'm in a grand final for the third time this year.
"It's a little bit unbelievable, it probably hasn't really sunk in yet. I'm just taking it day by day and enjoying the moment."
Laura Langman and Katrina Rore in action in the Super Netball competition Photo: NSW Swifts
Taurua and Silver Ferns captain Laura Langman stand in the way of Rore completing the unique treble.
"I can't wait for another final, especially against Lauz and Noels. It's going to be pretty epic.
"We've got mutual professional and personal respect for each other and I think that goes a long way.
"When we're on the court we want to be as competitive as possible no matter what.
"So we will give each other niggle, we will go as hard as we can against each other no matter how well we know one another so it'll add a bit of spice to the game."
Noeline Taurua will decide if Rore stays at wing defence for the upcoming Constellation Cup series against Australia.
"It will probably depend on Noels and with Casey now returning and Karin Burger is obviously a great wing D, in the Pulse and the Ferns.
"Wherever I fit in I'll pretty much take what I can get" with Rore desperate to play in the series and build on the World Cup victory.
"We had such a great time at World Cup and it'll be great to see all the crew again."
