Lightning coach Taurua to grieve in NZ

Noeline Taurua will again stand down from Sunshine Coast Lightning coaching duties this week following the death of her prominent father in New Zealand.

Kingi Taurua died on Thursday aged 80, following a lengthy battle with cancer.

A strong advocate for Maori rights, he was also an award-winning broadcaster and a government advisor.

Noeline Taurua flew home last week to be with her family, allowing assistant coach Kylee Byrne to assume the head role for the round four Super Netball win over the Collingwood Magpies.

Byrne will remain in charge for Sunday's bottom-of-the-table clash between the defending champion Lightning and the winless Adelaide Thunderbirds on the Sunshine Coast.