They came to Melbourne in the hope of regaining some respectability after a 17-goal hammering in last week’s Constellation Cup opener.

Silver Ferns coach Waimarama Taumaunu has put the heat on individuals to step up and do their jobs ahead of tonight's second Constellation Cup test in Melbourne.

You never get too comfortable as coach of the national side, but Silver Ferns coach Waimarama Taumaunu thought her team could scarcely have been better prepared.

Netball New Zealand admits it has dropped the ball by failing to address the dwindling player depth at the elite level soon enough.

While the Diamonds enjoyed a weekend off following a resounding win in the Constellation Cup opener, the Silver Ferns were back on the training court yesterday making a start on their list of work-ons ahead of Wednesday night's second test.

The two newcomers to the Silver Ferns shooting circle will be ready to step out on court against Australia in the opening test of the Constellation Cup tomorrow night.

Teenager Maddie Stuart always loved the quickfire pace and sometimes feisty nature of netball.

After a humbling 18-goal loss to Australia in the Commonwealth Games final, Silver Ferns coach Waimarama Taumaunu knew it was time to look at changes to the team before next year's World Cup.

As Temalisi Fakahokotau was being told she would be lining up for the Silver Ferns in next month's Constellation Cup series, she had only one thought in her mind: "Don't cry".

While most of the focus in the lead-up to today's Silver Ferns team announcement has centred around shooting selections, an interesting battle has been playing out for the vacant spot in the defencive end

Waimarama Taumaunu admits she is mindful there may be a backlash if Australian-born shooter Ameliaranne Wells is elevated straight into the Silver Ferns later this week.

The haste at which the Australian-born shooter Ameliaranne Wells has been rushed into the Silver Ferns programme came as a surprise to many.

Debbie Fuller could be excused if she was sticking pins into effigies of the ANZ Championship schedulers.

The Northern Mystics are putting their faith in a trio of young defenders to fill the void left by experienced internationals Anna Harrison and Julie Corletto.

The Central Pulse netball franchise are lining up an Australian shooter to plug one of the many vacancies in their attack end.

New Zealand netball might need to get used to silver medals in the next few years.

After the Silver Ferns produced their worst performance in a final of a major championship in Glasgow, the thought of next year's World Cup brings with it a sense of impending doom.

Tomorrow marks one year until the Netball World Cup kicks off in Sydney.

Rest and recuperation are next on the Silver Ferns' agenda after a Commonwealth Games campaign in which they fell short of the ultimate prize.

New Zealand notched a creditable 45 medals, including 14 golds, in the 20th Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

New Zealand's hold on the Commonwealth Games netball crown is over.