Netball: What to look for in tonight's test

Caitlin Bassett of Australia and Casey Kopua of New Zealand compete for the ball during the Iinternational netball test match last week. Photo / Getty Images.

It is fair to say the opening test of Constellation Cup did not go to plan for the Silver Ferns.

After an embarrassing 18-goal loss to Australia in the Commonwealth Games final, the Ferns were eager to give a better account of themselves in last Thursday's opener in Invercargill. But another hefty defeat at the hands of the Diamonds has left the team under no illusions as to where they sit in relation to their transtasman rivals 10 months out from the World Cup.

Having suffered another big psychological blow in game one, there is little hope in the Ferns camp of rescuing the series in Melbourne tonight. Instead they are focused on cutting out the basic errors, sticking to their individual tasks and trying to make up some ground on the well-drilled Australian side.

Here's what to look out for in tonight's second test:

The starting line-ups
Silver Ferns coach Waimarama Taumaunu has hinted changes could be made to her starting line-up for game two after her top seven failed to deliver in the opening test.

Shooter Bailey Mes and midcourter Grace Rasmussen will both be closely considered for a start tonight after making somewhat of an impact - albeit they could do little to alter the result - following their introduction in the opening test. Lisa Alexander meanwhile is expected to stick with the same starting side that raced out to a 15-goal halftime lead last Thursday as she looks to close out the series in Melbourne

Midcourt defence.
Of all the netballing sins the Ferns committed on Thursday night, Taumaunu singled out her side's poor midcourt defence as the worst. The experienced New Zealand midcourt unit of Laura Langman and Joline Henry admit they lost all structure on defence, they will need to discover those defensive links tonight if they are to avoid another heavy loss to the Diamonds.

New Zealand shooting stats
The Ferns shot at just 76% in Thursday night's opening test, continuing a worrying run of poor shooting performances from the New Zealand side. Bailey Mes, in her first test at goal attack, was particularly shaky on-goal, landing just 11 of her 19 attempts. But she offered a lot more speed and movement around the circle than Jodi Brown, which may encourage Taumaunu to have another look at the rookie.

Whoever takes the court in the shooting end needs to be confident in going to the post and they execute well, or they will have no chance of closing the gap on the Australian side, who have super-shooter Caitlin Bassett finishing off at the other end of the court.

The Constellation Cup
Watch it disappear for another year. Australia will wrap up the series with a win at Hisense Arena. While there will still be two tests remaining following tonight's clash, after a 17-goal capitulation in game one, a drawn series is now no good for the Ferns, even if they can somehow crack this polished Diamonds side.