Tiana Metuarau, right, and Amelia Walmsley are both leaving the Pulse. Photo: Photosport
Pulse goal attack and former Silver Fern Tiana Metuarau has joined the exodus of top players to overseas leagues, with a shift to the Birmingham Panthers in Britain's Netball Super League.
As signposted by RNZ earlier this week, Metuarau is heading to England, with the move now confirmed - days after it was announced the Pulse and Silver Ferns shooter Amelia Walmsley would play for the Stars in next year's ANZ Premiership.
The Pulse have already lost three players to the Australian Super League competition - with Kelly Jackson and Maddy Gordon to play for the Queensland Firebirds and Whitney Souness to line up for the Sydney-based Giants in 2026.
The relaxation of Netball New Zealand's eligibility rules that had prevented ace goal shoot Grace Nweke from playing for the Silver Ferns this year because she is in the Super League has opened the floodgates, with several top players exiting the ANZ Premiership, most of them signing up with Australian teams.
Silver Ferns Jackson, Gordon, Nweke, Kate Heffernan and Karin Burger and former Ferns Souness, Jane Watson, and Te Paea Selby-Rickit will all play domestic netball in Australia in 2026.
Metuarau, who had made herself unavailable for the Silver Ferns this year, joined the Pulse as a 16-year-old schoolgirl and has spent eight seasons with them, while having a year away with the Steel in 2021. At 22, she became the youngest New Zealander to play 100 premiership matches and will leave as a 24-year-old with 125 games to her credit.
She has won three ANZ Premiership titles (2019, 2020 and 2022) with the Pulse and has 13 Silver Ferns caps.
Tiana Metuarau in action for the Pulse. Photo: Photosport
Her last two seasons were plagued by injury, but she was on court in the elimination final last month when they were beaten 57-52 by the Tactix.
"It was sad when we lost the elimination final because it was a realisation that many of us were parting ways and I'm especially close with some of the girls,'' Metuarau said in a statement.
It had been a real privilege to play for the team, she said.
"I love my Pulse teammates and the staff,'' she said. "I'll never forget my debut, TSB (Wellington) will always be my favourite arena in the world and our Pulse fans are the best."
Refresh needed after online abuse
Metuarau said she needed a refresh in her career, adding that negative online abuse directed at her had taken a toll.
"I have developed a thicker skin because you put yourself out there every week for people to criticise you, and that's the nature of sport, but I'm pretty over it now. Only my inner circle really know the lengths that it got to and how difficult I found it.
"So, I thought what better opportunity than to go over and play netball where I was born.''
Metuarau was born in the UK when her mother, former Silver Ferns captain and later national coach Waimarama Taumaunu was national performance director of England Netball.
Her father George Metuarau coached rugby to a high level during their five-year stint in England.
"I feel a sense of comfort and a connection to where I'm going because I was born there and my parents speak so fondly of it and have the best memories, so I'm just excited to experience it with fresh eyes and as an adult,'' she said.
The Panthers were one of two new teams added to the England league last year and finished sixth of the eight teams in this year's competition. Former former England international Sonia Mkoloma will be their head coach next year.
Pulse coach Anna Andrews-Tasola said Metuarau had been a force in New Zealand netball.
"A true Pulse legend, Tiana celebrated her 100th game for the club this season - a milestone that reflects her loyalty, resilience and brilliance on court. Over the past decade, she's carved out a remarkable career, becoming a multiple ANZ Premiership champion and one of the most electrifying talents in the game."
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