Netball: Jamaicans told to lift their game

Anna Scarlett (L), Irene Van Dyk (C) and Casey Williams (R) at training ahead of the Jamaica test. Photo / Michael Bradley

After being humbled by Australia last week, Jamaican coach Connie Francis has warned some of her players they must step up against the Silver Ferns or they can forget about New Delhi.

The Jamaicans wrap up their Australasian tour with a two-test series against the Ferns beginning in Christchurch tonight.

The Australian leg of the tour revealed a long list of work-ons for the Sunshine Girls, who failed to get within 20 goals of the home side in any of the three games.

But with the Silver Ferns desperate to make a statement of their own as the Commonwealth Games loom, it won't get any easier for Jamaica this week.

Francis said she was "deeply embarrassed" by her side's performances against the Diamonds and is calling on the team to show more resolve against New Zealand.

"We have let ourselves down, some of us still have a chance of correcting the mistakes we have made in order to make that Commonwealth team," the former international shooter said.

While Francis takes some comfort in knowing a number of key players are expected to return to the team in time for the Commonwealth Games, including inspirational captain Simone Forbes and experienced defender Althea Byfield, she would like to see some improvement from her players in the upcoming series.

"The aim is Delhi, but we have to have a bit more pride in our game because we are letting ourselves down as a team.

"We are playing way below our standards, especially some of our senior players, who have been there and done that."

Silver Ferns assistant coach Waimarama Taumaunu, who flew over for the second test in Sydney last week, believes one of the key areas where the Jamaicans are struggling is with their feeding in to 1.96m shooter, Romelda Aiken.

Taumaunu said there appeared to be "a disconnect" between Aiken and the rest of the forward line with Aiken taking some time to adjust her game back into the Caribbean style after playing for the Queensland Firebirds for the past three seasons in the transtasman league.

Francis agreed with Taumaunu's assessment and said she was disappointed with the way her star charge had been slow to adjust back into the international environment.

"I think this is the worst I've ever seen [Aiken] play," said Francis.

"Coming out of the ANZ last year she was better and the difference is having her home before a championship might help us to bring her back to our ways.

"Her excuse is that [in Queensland] her coaches allow her to do anything. But for me as a coach I would like her to do exactly what works for us and improve on it."

With strong competition for places in the Ferns' defensive end, the likes of Leana de Bruin and Anna Scarlett will be eager to continue to make life tough for the Jamaican forward line.

New Zealand coach Ruth Aitken said she would be looking to test new combinations as they fine tune their game plans for the Games.

The Ferns haven't had the same lead-in time to the Jamaica series as they usually would for international matches, and have tried to squeeze their preparation into three days.

There was one late hitch to their preparation though, with shooter Daneka Wipiiti ruled out of tonight's test with a calf strain.

Canterbury Tactix shooter Anna Thompson has been called in to the team as cover, and the Ferns coaching staff are hopeful of having Wipiiti back for the second test in Napier on Saturday.