By JULIE ASH
The Silver Ferns reinforced their status as the world's best netball side this week with a clean sweep over arch-rivals Australia. But how much can be taken from the series win and what needs to be addressed before the big rematch in November?
Were Australia just not that good?
1. Australia are rebuilding, there's no two ways about that.
They lost three experienced players from the last world championships in Kathryn Harby-Williams, Nicole Richardson and Rebecca Sanders, so it will take them a bit of time to regroup.
They are also probably still adjusting to the coaching style of Norma Plummer.
Australia produced some good passages of play but those were outweighed by wayward passing at times and a lack of accuracy under the hoop.
Sure, they had a bad run with injuries, but the side were surprisingly disjointed, considering they had played South Africa and England twice in the past 12 months.
"I was disappointed in the Australians," says Sting coach Robyn Broughton.
"They didn't have the guts or something ... something was missing. They didn't look sharp. There were too many basic errors which I wouldn't expect at that level, like misdirected passes and dropped balls.
"They certainly need to look at their defence.
"They didn't have that much strategy or tactic as far as their circle defence went.
"I thought the Australians, knowing that Belinda [Colling] wasn't going to put the goals up, concentrated too much on Irene [van Dyk] where as they should have split their defence and cut their losses."
What about the Silver Ferns?
2. They were nowhere near as polished as they were at the world championship final. But that was understandable.
The series was their first international hit-out since Jamaica and their links throughout the court were a little rusty.
But three wins over Australia is a great feat.
"I remember being in the New Zealand team and honestly you had this feeling, 'Oh well we might win' but it wasn't like 'we will win'," remembers Canterbury Flames coach Margaret Foster.
"If one person in the team thinks that way then you are not going to be winning. They have done an awesome job with ensuring success breeds success."
Players who made the difference
3. The defensive duo of Vilimaina Davu and Sheryl Scanlan continued their impressive form from the world championships.
Scanlan especially had a remarkable series.
She really stood her ground against Australian shooters Cynna Neele and Sharelle McMahon and came through with some beautiful intercepts.
As usual, Silver Ferns goal shoot Irene van Dyk was outstanding. Her accuracy throughout the series was exceptional, considering she often had two physical Australian defenders on her back and also had to contend with some wayward passes from her team-mates.
Belinda Colling was her usual tireless self at goal attack but was probably a little guilty of not putting up enough shots.
Adine Harper and Temepara Clark were solid in the midcourt. Clark's determination could not be faulted as she flung her little body round the court, hitting the floorboards on plenty of occasions, as seen when she replaced Anna Rowberry just before half-time in the third test.
"I thought the series was quite physical," Foster says.
"It feels like it is kind of the first time we have been able to foot it with them.
"In the past it is like we have been little kids being beat up in the playground. This time we didn't let them bully us.
"It was really good entertaining netball.
"It was physical, but I don't mind that physicality in our sport."
What was good was the fact Silver Ferns coach Ruth Aitken gave all 12 players court time, something essential for developing depth.
Foster says the team obviously had a good starting lineup.
The priority now was to concentrate on building depth by giving players exposure.
"I take my hat off to Ruth [Aitken] and Leigh [Gibbs], in that they got 12 players out on court in that last one and they still won.
"That is unheard-of. That is just fantastic."
Areas of concern
4. Australia came close to winning.
New Zealand should really have trounced them. Sure, Australia have plenty of depth but it still takes time to "build links".
Another worry is that in the first two tests, Australia had more attempts at goal.
Which means that all Australia really need to work on is their shooting, and they'll be a lot more competitive.
"That second test, I was really disappointed with the New Zealand attack," Broughton says.
"Everybody is saying how they had wonderful areas but in the attacking end three passes went out the back ... That could have lost us the game.
"We did that same thing in the Commonwealth Games where we lost the gold medal.
"We suddenly just got too much speed and the pass was misdirected and to me that is when you nail it home. I would be looking at things like that."
With Tania Dalton pregnant and uncertainty over Belinda Colling's future, a lack of depth in the shooting department is worry number three.
"I'd be concerned if I was the coach," Broughton says.
"I thought Jodi [Te Huna] made quite a good fist of it.
"But certainly looking at the National Bank Cup, there wasn't much coming through."
Where to now for NZ?
5. Although netball is still an amateur sport and the season is already pretty full-on, it would be good to see the Silver Ferns play someone else before they meet Australia again in November.
It would build on the series and give some of the less-experienced players such as Te Huna, Anna Scarlett and Joline Henry some more court time.
But Broughton isn't convinced there is anyone worth playing.
"I really worry about the state of global netball, for we made a lot of mistakes as well. I don't know who you'd play though, because there is no one around.
"The more we can play Australia, the better. Certainly, it showed up our strengths and areas to work on."
Foster would be keen to see closer ties across the Ditch.
"I would really welcome a transtasman competition that would see the top three National Bank Cup teams play the top three Commonwealth Bank Trophy teams.
"I know that people say we are not going global, we have to help other countries. But at the end of the day it is about that entertainment value as well."
Netball: Courts and verdict
AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.