England Roses' veteran Geva Mentor is looking forward to playing international netball for the first time in over two years when her side takes on the Silver Ferns and she's taken the long route to get here.
England Roses Geva Mentor in action during a match against the Silver Ferns. Photo: Photosport
The Ferns are hosting England in a three-Test series, with all matches to be played at Christchurch Arena, starting on 20th September.
Mentor is a fixture in the Australian Super Netball competition but had to go via Singapore to get to New Zealand, where she's now in MIQ.
"I set off from Melbourne, the hardest thing to look at was when I was on the plane and watching the plane literally go the opposite direction to where I needed to go. Eight hours in the wrong direction but was able to board the second flight from Singapore to Christchurch with the team, who also had a lay-over in Singapore," Mentor said.
Due to Covid restrictions, the 36-year-old was only able to give her team-mates a wave.
"But now I get to see them when we get our half an hour break outside, we're in two bubbles we get to walk around the court yard, so I get to catch up with everyone then."
Mentor's last Test was at the 2019 World Cup in Liverpool.
She was meant to link up with the Roses for a series last year, but Covid put a stop on that.
"I didn't realise how much time had flown between drinks because I've been in communication all the way through and I think it's been the greatest thing with the Roses, no matter where their players are around the world they still touch base with us. I felt like I've been part of the England programme over those two years."
England's Geva Mentor and Silver Fern Bailey Mes clash in 2014. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
One of the world's finest goal keeps, she will get a chance to re-establish her defensive pairing with Layla Gusgoth, who did her achilles early on at the 2019 World Cup.
Following the series England plan to extend their tour across the Tasman with matches against the Diamonds, when Australian based shooters Helen Housby and Jo Harten will join the side.
Mentor is excited about the growing competition in the England shooting end.
"I've been a part of the Roses for over 20 years now and definitely the work that New Zealand coaches Lyn Gunson and Wai Taumaunu instilled in us defensively I think set us up throughout the years.
"But I think we've sort of struggled a bit in attack so it's really exciting to see. Obviously Jo and Helen have gone really well in Australia and George [Fisher] had a great year in New Zealand so I'm excited to see the likes of Ella [Clark] and Rhea [Dixon] and Sophie [Drakeford-Lewis] sort of step up here in the Roses' squad.
"They all bring such different styles of play and they've all got a really good eye for the shot which I think is something we've been down on percentage with England. Not necessarily in the last couple of years but definitely in the early years when I started out so these girls can shoot high volume which is fantastic."
Now coming into day six in MIQ, Mentor said the time had flown by with the days very structured around a lot of Zoom sessions.
"We've got a group session where we are doing some running, so we made as much space as we can in our room and we're clocking up two to three kilometres in our room, with running back and forth and moving around on a spot.
"The meals are the focal points for each day. I heard someone suggest because the girls did MIQ last year, that anytime there's lamb on the menu definitely go for it and I certainly have and it has not disappointed."
The squad will exit quarantine on the 10th September to allow them to train as a team and prepare for the fixtures at Christchurch Arena, subject to government lockdown levels being reduced in the South Island.
Geva Mentor has been coached by former Silver Ferns' coach Wai Taumaunu Photo: Photosport
Mentor first hit the netball scene when she was selected for the Roses in 2000, making her debut against New Zealand at the age of just 16.
She's amassed 146 Test caps and her perpetuity in the sport has been highlighted by the make-up of the relatively new England coaching team.
"Jess Thirlby [England head coach] was my first room-mate for my very first Commonwealth Games back in 2002. Sonia Mkloma, who is assistant coach who unfortunately can't be with us this leg, is not only my best mate but also was my defensive partner for many years."
Her longevity has also been brought home with the knowledge that she could play against the daughter of her old mentor Wai Taumaunu.
Taumaunu was the national performance director for England Netball from 1998 to 2003.
She was also the assistant coach for the Roses in their 2003 Netball World Championships campaign.
The former Silver Ferns' captain and coach brought through a generation of superstar English defenders, including Mentor, Sonia Mkoloma and Ama Abgeze.
Last month Taumaunu's daughter Tiana Metuarau was named in the Silver Ferns' squad for the first time.
"How amazing and incredible is that. I've been following Tiana's I guess journey all the way through.
"She was born in England and I think my Mum even used to look after her for a little bit while Wai was busy and to think that the circle has come around and now yeah I could be playing up against her.
"And she's finding phenomenal form, I've kept an eye on the ANZ this year with George Fisher playing out there and I think Tiana is playing fantastic netball and it is pretty exciting to think that I could be coming up against her."
Tiana Metuarau playing for the Southern Steel Photo: Photosport
Mentor, who captains the Collingwood Magpies in the Australian league, is coming off a tough season dealing with a back issue, doubled with sciatica (a pinched nerve).
"I lost all my power and strength down one side of my leg. I probably shouldn't have played the first half of the season but as captain I wanted to be there on court with my girls and managed to get through, but it wasn't really until the last few games that I felt like I could really contribute on court.
"It's probably the first time in my 20 year career that I've had a major injury that's really impacted me and it definitely interfered with training.
"The hardest thing was not being able to sleep for the first week or two and it hit me 10 days before our first game, terrible timing.
"With a back issue, it's kind of a silent demon that you have to deal with and my hat goes off to anyone who's dealing with chronic pain because I've never dealt with anything like that before, and also having to bring it each day and lead my team."
Now that she's come out the other side she's keen to hit her straps in the international season.
Cadbury Netball Series - Taini Jamison Trophy
Monday 20 September
Wednesday 22 September
Friday 24 September