Netball: Silver Ferns dominate one-sided test against Samoa

Liana Barrett-Chase of the Silver Ferns looks to pass during her side's 92-28 victory over Samoa in Porirua. Photo / Getty Images

The countdown to the Silver Ferns' Commonwealth Games netball title defence began today much as expected with a one-sided win, 92-28 over Samoa at Te Rauparaha Arena in Porirua.

It was only the fourth time Samoa have played New Zealand, with the last time seven years ago at the world championship in Jamaica.

With the result never in doubt, New Zealand coach Ruth Aitken's emphasis was on building combinations and honing the midcourt links between defence, and she took the opportunity to give all 12 of her squad a run.

Aitken's starting line-up had a tried-and-true look to it, but with a largely unknown opposition, the match was always going to be more about combinations and less about the scoreline.

A smothering Silver Ferns mid-court defence, as wing defence Joline Henry worked in tandem with midcourters Laura Langman and Temepara George, kept a huge amount of pressure on the ball into Samoan shooters Shirin Chang and Malu Faasavalu.

New Zealand circle defenders Casey Williams and Leana de Bruin reaped the benefits, pouncing on the loose ball and working the transition from defence into attack smoothly.

At the other end of the court, the combination between Irene van Dyk and Maria Tutaia made the most of some quality ball, as they put up 24 shots in the first 15-minute period and sinking every one.

Despite a 24-7 lead at the first break, the Silver Ferns worked hard to maintain focus, upping the tempo as the second quarter progressed and testing van Dyk's elevation and reach with some high-flying feeding.

The Samoan forward line kept working hard, led by Waikato-Bay of Plenty Magic midcourter Frances Solia, but they found it hard to find a way through a forest of lanky New Zealand arms.

By the halftime break, the Silver Ferns had extended their lead to 46-15, and Aitken was ready to test a different combination. Williams was replaced by Katrina Grant at the back, with Anna Scarlett coming on at goal defence and Langman shifted to wing defence.

With George at centre and Liana Barrett-Chase at wing attack, New Zealand lost no pace through the midcourt, and new cap Grace Rasmussen was given a dream ride in her New Zealand debut at goal attack.

In her first appearance for the Silver Ferns since May, 2007, Scarlett impressed with quick hands and feet in the circle, and worked hard in firing up the attack with speedy ball on transition.

The flow of ball into the New Zealand circle never faltered, Barrett-Chase and George combining with Rasmussen and van Dyk with some slick passing and instinctive feeding.

Rasmussen grew in confidence as the quarter progressed, and with the Silver Ferns ahead 71-20 at the three-quarter mark, she had sunk all nine of her shots on goal.

Although at times New Zealand looked to be forcing the tempo, such was the supply of possession that the odd turnover didn't really matter.

However, with two upcoming matches against Jamaica this month, and a three-test series against Australia in September, Aitken will be looking for a little more control as the season progresses.

Aitken cleared her bench in the final quarter, with Daneka Wipiiti replacing van Dyk at goal shoot in her first appearance for the Silver Ferns since 2008.

With the midcourt unchanged, and with a steady supply of quality ball into the circle, the Silver Ferns worked hard to maintain momentum, taking the final quarter 21-8 to underline the lopsided win.

- NZPA