Commonwealth Games: Even minnows get taken seriously

Captain Casey Williams says they will be using easier matches to build up for tougher opponents. Photo / Mark Mitchell

New Zealand will be happy to play the part of schoolyard bully when they take on the minnows at the Commonwealth Games.

The defending champion Silver Ferns get their campaign off to a low-key start tonight against easybeats Papua New Guinea.

The result is likely to resemble more closely a cricket score than netball.

The merits of running up the scoreboard against drastically weaker sides is often debated, but New Zealand captain Casey Williams said there is no chance they will ease up on their opponents.

There are parts of their game they need to work on and limited time before their pivotal contest against England on Thursday, so there is no question of going through the motions once the game against Papua New Guinea, or Cook Islands tomorrow, ceases being a contest.

"We're definitely not pulling back," she said.

"You use those games to build up for the big ones and it's time for us to try new things, but we need to prepare the same as if we were playing Australia.

"We go into the game with the same mindset pretty much."

Williams has tasted Commonwealth Games gold before, as a member of the team that won in Melbourne four years ago.

"It's a little bit different. The 06 Games, I was the baby in the team doing my own job. Things have changed quite a bit since then. I'm now a leader, but I'm still the same person," the 25-year-old said.

"I never thought I'd be doing this, leading a team at the Commonwealth Games. For us to win gold, that'd be off the charts."

Williams was sporting a heavily bandaged hand yesterday, but it is not expected to hamper her performance.

"I just went for a ball during training and cracked my knuckle slightly on my little finger," Williams said.

Holding back is something officials have threatened to do after problems left them fuming. NZPA yesterday reported officials felt their uniforms were not suitable, their accommodation was unfit and transport was failing to deliver them where they needed to be on time.

Unless the concerns are addressed by this morning the tournament would be delayed.

GAME 1

New Zealand v Papua New Guinea.

Thyagaraj Sports Complex.