Netball: Willering comes home little wiser

By Suzanne McFadden

Silver Ferns coach Yvonne Willering learned nothing from her reconnaisance trip across the Tasman watching the Australian netballers annihilate South Africa by an incredible 61 goals.

After being whipped by New Zealand by margins ranging from 18 to 43 goals, the Proteas plummeted to new depths in their one-off test loss to the world No 1 side in Sydney on Friday night.

Was this a warning to the Silver Ferns that the Australians, who won 89-28, are perhaps a better team three months out from the world championships?

No way, said Willering. It showed the South Africans weren't really interested.

"The South Africans played like a team on their way home," she said.

"They didn't want any practice times when they got to Australia - they were so tired. That reflected on court as well.

"I really learned nothing I didn't know. The Australians were never put under any pressure. But I never went there to check the scoreline difference."

Australia, she said, would have been pretty frustrated by the match too.

"It was their last test before the world championships, and they would have been looking for more of a challenge," she said.

Australia will name their team today for the world championships in Christchurch in September, so the match served as a final trial.

The only player missing on Friday night was veteran centre Carissa Tombs, who is living in England but is certain to be included in the 12.

Defender Liz Taverner is out of contention with a severe knee injury.