Silver Ferns prepared for all-important rematch against the Jamaica Sunshine Girls

The Silver Ferns will need to follow through on major changes ahead of their Taini Jamison Trophy final. Photo / Getty

The Silver Ferns will face the Jamaica Sunshine Girls today in a highly-anticipated final of the Taini Jamison Trophy.

Despite a promising start to the tournament, the Silver Ferns were defeated 59-51 by the confident and composed Jamaicans on Thursday night.

The Ferns held strong for the first three quarters of the match, however, it was the Sunshine Girls' feisty defence and accurate shooting that saw them finish with a historic eight point victory.

New Zealand struggled to score consistently on Thursday, with shooting duo Te Paea Selby-Rickit and Bailey Mes struggling under the pressure of tough Jamaican defender Shamera Sterling.

It was a similar situation for defenders Katrina Grant, Kelly Jury and Temalisi Fakahokotau, who were no match for the tall and accurate Jamaican goal shoot Jhaniele Fowler-Reid.

The disappointing match left plenty for Silver Ferns coach Janine Southby to consider as she used New Zealand's comfortable game against Fiji on Friday night as an opportunity to run 11 of her 12-strong squad on court, including Maria Folau and defender Kayla Cullen.

Cullen, who played three quarters of Friday night's game will sit out of today's final to rest and will be replaced by wing defence Claire Kersten.

The Ferns' decisive 88-27 win over Fiji saw Southby trial some never-before seen combinations in preparation ahead of their all-important rematch against the well-drilled Jamaica.

Southby said the opportunity to test the girls in different positions was important ahead of the final and believed the Ferns had "tidied up" key areas during the match against Fiji.

"Bring it on," Southby said of taking on Jamaica. "We got a bit hesitant, we didn't play with the confidence that we can play with and the girls had been building over the last couple of weeks," she said.

"That's a big work on and our numbers were pretty good across the board, but we let ourselves down by being a bit hesitant at times with the pass or whether we looked to turn to shoot as well."

"We've got to stick to what we're trying to do, which is create ball and attack it further up court and we were guilty of not doing that as much as we should do."

For the Ferns to stand any chance, however, they will need to shut down the passes to Fowler-Reid, who was able to hit at a stunning 90 per cent on Thursday.

And Southby knows Fowler-Reid could score all day if the Ferns defence fail to successfully contain her.

If the Ferns can work on their issues they stand a solid chance to defend the prestigious trophy, which has never been won by a visiting nation.

Malawi and Fiji will contest the third/fourth play-off at 2:10pm ahead of today's final at 4:10pm at the North Shore Events Centre.