Netball: Hotshot Wells looks like a starter

Ameliaranne Wells showed her quality on court. Photo / Michael Bradley

Transplanted Aussie impresses on her double-quick Ferns debut but admits she has plenty of work ahead

It was only a couple of minutes into Ameliaranne Wells' Silver Ferns debut before it became obvious why Netball NZ had wasted little time in whisking the Australian-born shooter into the national team.

Trailing Australia by four goals at quarter time of Wednesday night's second Constellation Cup clash, Wells had the goal attack bib thrust upon her following a shaky start by fellow shooting rookie Bailey Mes.

All seven of the Ferns' first quarter goals had been hard fought, with the Diamonds star defensive pairing of Laura Geitz and Julie Corletto putting the New Zealand shooters under pressure. And yet Wells appeared to have all the time and space she needed on attack, providing some superb feeds into Cathrine Latu, and when it came to putting up the shots herself, the 23-year-old never flinched, slotting some impressive long bombs.

Silver Ferns coach Waimarama Taumaunu was delighted with the way the newcomer, who was considered a controversial inclusion in the New Zealand test side after being selected on the basis of a couple of trial games, dealt with the pressure of the occasion.

"In terms of the quality of play she demonstrated, we weren't surprised. She has been doing that at training and that was why we picked her at trials. You can see why now we had to say 'actually I think we have to take this' rather than wait and do the obligatory get to know you," said Taumaunu.

So it has been a case of everyone having to get to know each other as they go along.

Wells said she hasn't thought twice about her decision to pledge her allegiance to New Zealand. "It's not the ideal situation to be in, but with the group of girls that we've got they've made it so easy for me to come in and if they can be this welcoming and so positive and encouraging out on court at a time like this then I think that really shows the spirit in the team and it makes me want to be a part of it even more."

While the performance of Wells was a key positive to come out of the Ferns' 49-40 loss to Australia -- their seventh loss on the trot to their transtasman rivals -- the transplanted Australian said there is still plenty of work for her to do.

The limited time Wells has had in the New Zealand camp was obvious at times on Wednesday night, with a few breakdowns in communication between her and the midcourt. Wells' accuracy also dropped off in the final period as the youngster, unaccustomed to the intensity of international netball, tired badly.

But considering how far she has come in the space of a few months - from a fringe member of the Firebirds team in the transtasman league to a Silver Fern - Wells is pretty chuffed with her progress.

"It was amazing just to get out on court -- I was not expecting it at all. Wai had told us all that we had to be ready to go on at any point so all of us are preparing ourselves for match time, but I don't think anything can prepare you for it really," she said.

Wells is expected to be promoted to the starting line-up for the third test in Sydney tomorrow.

3 things we learned from the second test

Kopua the key
Moving Silver Ferns skipper Casey Kopua back to goal keep is the key to shutting down 1.92m Australian shooter Caitlin Bassett.

Top option
Aussie-born Ameliaranne Wells, a bench player for the Queensland Firebirds this year, is the Ferns' No1 (currently fit) goal attack option after only a week and a half in the camp.

Pressure pays off
The Silver Ferns do have the ability to put Australia under real pressure - but they can't do it for 60 minutes yet.