Crampton at peace if Ferns stint is over
Gina Crampton won’t be glued to her phone when Dame Noeline Taurua rings prospective Silver Ferns later this year.
The former Silver Ferns captain is helping out the south Auckland-based Stars as a temporary replacement player.
A vastly experienced wing attack like Crampton, who has played 68 tests, could still offer a lot to the national side.
Crampton last played for the Ferns in their bronze-medal loss to Jamaica at last year’s Netball World Cup, which saw them finish fourth – their worst finish in tournament history.
She then opted to take a year-long sabbatical, moving to the United States, where partner Faasiu Fuatai was playing for Rugby New York in Major League Rugby.
Their plans quickly changed when Rugby New York folded in December.
The couple weighed up their next move, deciding to shift to Sydney, where they are living in Bondi.
Fuatai is running around in the Shute Shield for the famed Randwick club.
Crampton dipped her feet back in netball, serving as a training partner for Super Netball club Giants Netball in pre-season.
The injury-hit Stars, Crampton’s former team, reached out to her and she answered the call, playing the first two games of the season. Crampton flew back from Sydney to help out again in Monday’s last-gasp loss to the Tactix, bringing up her 150th national league appearance.
Crampton was philosophical about where she sat with the Silver Ferns. She had not given up on wearing the black dress again, but at 32 and with her life in Sydney, recognised her time might be over.
“I think basically I would have to be playing a few more games to be considered in the squad. So at this stage I don’t think I’m able to be selected.
“I’ve only played three [for the Stars], so I’m sure they’d want more than that for me to be available.”
Since Crampton stepped away from the Ferns, Stars team-mate and close friend Mila Reuelu-Buchanan and Whitney Souness have been Taurua’s top two wing attacks.
Reuelu-Buchanan has started in eight of the 11 tests without Crampton, with Souness starting the other three.
Taurua is not short of wing attack options. Tactix captain Kimiora Poi, who mainly plays centre, but can cover wing attack, has been in excellent form for the competition leaders. Mystics pocket rocket Peta Toeava has also had her moments this season, but been on the outer at national level, struggling to meet conditioning standards.
So what would Crampton say if Taurua’s name popped up on her phone later this year ahead of the Ferns’ next series, September’s Taini Jamison Trophy against England.
“Honestly I have no idea. I’m not sure what I’d say to that, to be honest. I think I’d probably be like, ‘You guys are sweet’.”
If Crampton’s Ferns career was over she would be at peace with the decision, comfortable with what she had achieved at the highest level.
Crampton was the starting wing attack at the 2019 World Cup, where New Zealand snapped a 16-year drought to capture the title. She was also involved in the team’s 2021 Constellation Cup triumph over Australia.
At the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, Crampton captained the Ferns to a bronze-medal finish.
“[The Silver Ferns] it’s not in my immediate future, that’s for sure. It was a good time of my life, but you never know what can happen, I guess.”
Despite the negative ending to their time in New York, Crampton and Fuatai had loved living in the Big Apple. Crampton was there for two five-month stints and relished the chance to explore new places and check out the sights. They had watched plenty of live sport, including NBA, NFL and MLB games.
The couple lived in Jersey City, in northeastern New Jersey, about 10 minutes’ train trip to the World Trade Centre.
“Super gutted we’re not doing that this year. It’s an amazing city, just full of life. You can do anything at any time. Super lucky I got to go there.
“Now we’re not there I’m really stoked I did spend some time there. Definitely the greatest city in the world.”
The Stars have had a wretched start to the season, losing all seven games, and sit bottom of the table.
All seven losses have been by seven goals or fewer, including an extra-time loss to the Steel and Monday’s heartbreaking loss to the Tactix. The Stars had led by five at three-quarter time against the Tactix, but were run down.
“A win is not far away for the Stars,’’ Crampton said. “I think they’ve handled it really well, to be honest, because it sucks losing.”
“[The Silver Ferns] it’s not in my immediate future, that’s for sure. It was a good time of my life, but you never know what can happen, I guess.”
Gina Crampton