Silver Ferns shooter Grace Nweke returned to the court for her first test since being forced out of the World Cup with injury. Photo: AAP / www.photosport.nz
There will be no excuses that the Silver Ferns players don't know what to expect when they try to keep the Constellation Cup series against Australia alive in Test three.
Australia hold a 2-nil lead in the four-Test series after wins on home soil and the Silver Ferns will need to pull off a massive turn around if they want to wrestle the Cup off the Diamonds.
New Zealand will have to make the most of home advantage for the final two Tests, starting in Invercargill, before the final Test in Auckland on Monday.
In what's never a good sign, there were times that the Silver Ferns defenders heads were spinning in the first two Tests.
That was because the Australian midcourt contingent sped down the court, firing the ball into the shooters so quickly, that the New Zealand defenders were often a beat behind.
Silver Ferns assistant coach Deb Fuller said they had to win more ball on defence and it was fixable.
"It's a great time of the competition to be midway through it and have made the adjustments to the ball speed that the Australian's play with and the man-on defence so there's no excuses going into this game in terms of that adaptation.
"This game really is about being able to match their ability to keep possession and get more defensive ball," Fuller said.
She said it was a technique and tactical adjustment that they have had to work through.
"It's little things at this time of the competition and I think the players that make that shift into the space of being able to correct their technique or be able to fully extend themselves when needed or anticipate the ball earlier - that's going to win us ball."
Fuller said they needed to put constant pressure on the Diamonds throughout the court to give themselves a chance.
The experienced Silver Ferns coaching team of Dame Noeline Taurua (left) and Deb Fuller. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
"The Australians are super clinical with how they play their attack. They've always got two or three options on to every ball so we've adjusted to that now, we're aware of it and so now we've got another huge great opportunity to test ourselves."
Australian goal shooter Cara Koenen is proving a big handful. Both Kelly Jury and Jane Watson have spent time at goal keep to try and limit her damage but she has usually found an answer.
"She's super quick and athletic and it's something that we can match when we're in the right position."
In Test two the Silver Ferns were only able to convert a miserly 17 percent of their defensive gains so that is another area they have to improve.
"The Australians are doing a wonderful job of strangling us in the midcourt on defence so we've looked at a couple of new methods to be able to attack the ball through court. We're having to change our angles, change up our timing to be able to present to our team-mates clearer of the body."
Fuller said after two hitouts against Australia the players knew what they had to do.
"Now we've to go out there and show that we are nimble in how we approach the game and we are able to adjust, which we can do, we've got a dynamic playing group that we are really excited about."
Australian goal shooter Cara Koenen. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Defender Kate Burley was not named in the first two Test sides, so could she get an opportunity to make her debut in the New Zealand leg?
"I hope so, she's somebody that again she's been playing wing defence in trainings as well as goal keep so she's learning a new position in training at the same time.
"The great thing about having the 14 [strong] squad means that positions are very competitive and opportunities to play are absolute gold so everything is competitive."
Australian wing attack Liz Watson is also a massive threat and Silver Ferns coach Dame Noeline Taurua has been prepared to explore all kinds of possibilities in the wing defence position this year, including putting goal keep Jury in that position at the World Cup.
Burley is a circle defender at the ANZ Premiership level but Fuller said she had great attributes that could suit the wing defence position too.
"One of Kate's best strengths as a netballer is her elevation so she's been smothering a lot of ball from the wing attack and she's really quick on the ground so she's learning how to work the ground as a wing defence and then be able to read the release of the pass."
Shooter Grace Nweke marked her return from injury in Test two, and made an immediate impact in the two quarters she was on court.
Fuller didn't know if Nweke would be able to play a full game in Invercargill but said she felt more confident with every training.
"She feels a lot stronger than even pre-injury. This is what happens when players get injured, they have an opportunity to really work their bodies with some big strength gains.
"When she came out the other night it was really impressive that she slotted in quickly, she was able to take the ball at height and she didn't miss a beat."
Kate Burley is yet to get her debut. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
