Netball: Focus on Jamaica first, says Ferns coach

Years of planning go on the line for the Silver Ferns as they head into finals weekend with Jamaica semifinal opponents today and possibly arch-foe Australia in tomorrow's final.

The final will be the last medal to be decided at the Melbourne Games and a gold to New Zealand would give the country a boost after a disappointing haul so far.

New Zealand coach Ruth Aitken admitted yesterday her side hadn't revealed their full arsenal of tactical moves in the Games' preliminary rounds, but said she wanted the basics first, with the tricks later.

"Once you are in the game you actually just read it as it comes. We would like to ensure we have a good range of options available for the Sunday, but we have to make sure we don't upset the flow that is there," she said.

However, she says her concentration and that of her players is not on tomorrow but on their semifinal today.

"We have both eyes on Jamaica and that is all we can look at. It is a one-off, it's Jamaica all the way."

They play a physical game and Australian captain Sharelle McMahon predicted yesterday they would give New Zealand a torrid battle.

Aitken said her side hadn't yet reached the level of consistency she wanted at this tournament. It hads reached her standards in accuracy and precision at times, but there had been patches of diffident play as well.

"We have been up and down, but I am sure the players know the importance of this game and they will bring their A game," she said.

The planning for what New Zealand hopes will culminate in their first Commonwealth Games gold medal - after being beaten by Australia in heart-stoppers in Kuala Lumpur and Manchester - has taken a few years and involved much travelling and talking.

Aitken and assistant coach Leigh Gibbs have consulted the All Blacks and other national sporting sides.

There are personal motivations for senior players. Anna Rowberry and Belinda Colling are survivors from Kuala Lumpur, and ace goalshoot Irene van Dyk and Vilimaina Davu were in Manchester with them.

With so many youngsters in the team, they have downplayed the revenge factor in the possible final with Australia, though Rowberry admitted this week there was "unfinished business".

Australian coach Norma Plummer was concentrating on semifinal opponents England, saying her side would not fall into the same trap it did in the shock draw against Jamaica on Wednesday.

"Look, there's always going to be mistakes and everybody makes mistakes," she said.

"We can take on any team with our game and all we have to do is finish that off."

Semifinals

 NZ v Jamaica, 7.30 tonight

Australia v England, 9.30 tonight

Final 5pm tomorrow

- NZPA