Having dealt with the first significant non-selection of her netball career Tiana Metuarau is looking forward to hitting the court with the FAST5 Ferns this weekend.
Tiana Metuarau. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Metuarau was one of the surprise Commonwealth Games omissions for many netball fans.
She had a good ANZ season with the premiership winning Pulse and had had lots of court time in the Silver Ferns' two series prior to the Commonwealth Games.
"It was pretty disappointing but I think that period was a time where I could find other passions outside of netball, which I think is really important so I kind of just tried to focus on my studies.
"I was I suppose a little bit more detached and I obviously had lots of questions, which is normal I think. People who have to deal with non-selection always will have questions and things like that," Metuarau said.
Not long after missing out, Metuarau played for the NZA side in the Cadbury Series, designed to give the Birmingham-bound Silver Ferns a good hit-out before heading to the Games.
Metuarau then spent some time in the Cook Islands, where her father's side of the family are from.
"I really got to just relax and I was just showered with love and that was kind of a reminder that there were other ways for me to be happy away from netball I suppose. It was really important for me to go back home."
While Metuarau was there, she also found out she had been dropped down to the Ferns' development squad.
"I was gutted but it is really hard to be sad in Raro so I'm glad I kind of found out that news while I was there."
From a 2019 trip to Cook Islands. Silver Fern legend Margharet Matenga, Aliyah Dunn (middle) and Tiana Metuarau (right). Matenga played netball for New Zealand alongside Metuarau's mother Wai Taumaunu. Photo: Supplied
Sickness prevented Metuarau from attending any of the Commonwealth Games' trial in Wellington.
"The timing was just really inconvenient. I probably spent a few weeks being pretty disappointed to be fair but I just had to get on with it and there are other things I have going on away from the netball court.
"I will be back that's for sure and I just try not to let the outside noise, or people, because a lot of people were talking to me about it quite often and so it was just an awkward time I suppose. But it's not the end of the world I'm still young."
Metuarau found comfort in confiding in her parents - Silver Fern legend Wai Taumaunu and rugby coach George Metuarau.
"Non-selection is hard and you work so hard for something and the results aren't always positive so it's a little bit disheartening but lots of growth happened over that period.
"I'd say I'm probably a bit more resilient now and I was just happy that Mum and Dad were there because I was pretty unhappy for a couple of weeks."
Metuarau has got an opportunity in Christchurch this weekend with the FAST5 Ferns team.
A number of fringe Silver Ferns were named in the side for the international tournament.
Metuarau believed she had clarity on what she needed to do to get back into the Silver Ferns.
"Yeah, yeah I think I do. I think this series coming up is important as well for me in a sense to kind of still see if I have that competitive edge and fire, which I'm sure I do.
"I do think there was a time where I just wanted a little break from netball and I think I've had that time now and I think I'm just ready to get stuck in again."
Metuarau said she was looking forward to the ANZ Premiership pre-season.
"It's always tough but I think that's where I make the most progress so I think that's probably the thing I'm looking forward to the most."
A 2019 trip to Cook Islands. Silver Fern legend Margharet Matenga between Aliyah Dunn (left) and Tiana Metuarau. Photo: Supplied
It seems Metuarau can't get enough of the Cook Islands.
The 21-year-old also went back recently to play netball in the Cook Island Games.
"It was cool and a way for me to continue to connect with my roots and my nana lives over there, and my Dad's siblings, and a lot of my first cousins."
Metuarau said she would love to have longer stints over there.
"Considering I am, well some would say high maintenance, you know I love getting my nails done and all those kinds of things. I just feel like I'm a different version of myself over there in the best way possible.
"It's just such a simple lifestyle and the people there are lovely and I kind of can't explain it but there's this real sense of belonging."
Metuarau has been learning Cook Islands Māori and would love to fully immerse herself in it.
"I'd absolutely love to live there, I've thought about gaining some teaching experience over there with the primary school kids next year."
Dunn-Metuarau reconnect
Metuarau is looking forward to her first foray into FAST5 netball in Christchurch this weekend.
The FAST5 Netball World Series is returning to the international scene after a disrupted calendar due to the global pandemic.
FAST5 is a modified version of the game featuring multiple point shots, double point power plays, five players-a-side and shortened quarters.
"This is kind of like the fun competition and it's a really cool atmosphere, I've been to a couple of them as a spectator, the atmosphere is always really nice."
She's also happy she will get to play with Tactix-bound Aliyah Dunn, after the pair spent their formative years at the Pulse together.
"I give Aliyah heaps for leaving me but I'll get over it," Metuarau laughs.
Aliyah Dunn (left) and Tiana Metuarau. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Dunn confided in Metuarau early on that she was thinking of leaving the Pulse after the 2022 season.
"We're pretty honest and open with each other and I suppose when we played the grand final and we won, it was sad in a sense that I knew she wasn't going to be here next year."
Metuarau had a break-out season when she spent a year at the Southern Steel in 2021 so knows that change is necessary for some athletes.
"A change of scenery and a different environment I think is quite nice and refreshing so in that sense I'm really happy for her.
"She's one of my best mates and I think one of the reasons we're so close is we started out together. I think she had just finished high school when she joined the Pulse and I was still in my last year."
Dunn, who actually played at the last FAST5 tournament in 2018 in Melbourne, feels the same way.
"It will be a good last blow-out before we go our separate ways," Dunn said.
The Dunn-Metuarau shooting combination was probably the most consistent in the ANZ Premiership this year.
"We kind of just have always clicked, ever since I moved up to Wellington, we've just had I guess an invisible thread. We've had our moments where that thread isn't there but most of the time we're pretty safe."
Dunn, who is also trying to push her way into the Silver Ferns, said after five seasons with the Pulse it was time for a change.
"I've already done as much as I can here and improved as much as I can so a change of environment was definitely needed."
At the Tactix Dunn will team up with Silver Ferns' shooter Te Paea Selby-Rickit.
"I'm actually really excited to get to play alongside her I really admire her game and I think she has a lot to offer so I think we'll do well as a combination."
New Zealand are the current FAST5 title holders after winning in Melbourne in 2018.
