Netball: Aussies welcome back key player

Natalie von Bertouch looks set to make a return for Australia against New Zealand. Photo / Getty Images

MELBOURNE - The injury pendulum swung Australia's way on the eve of the second netball test, with the influential Natalie von Bertouch poised to return as key Silver Ferns midcourter Liana Barrett-Chase limped out of the tour.

Australian coach Norma Plummer gave an enthusiastic injury report for her centre and vice-captain, who missed the Ferns' 53-50 win in Sunday's first test with a sternum injury.

Meanwhile, Ferns coach Ruth Aitken farewelled dynamic wing attack Barrett-Chase, who flew home with a calf strain and won't return until at least the fourth of this season's five tests against Australia, in Invercargill on September 20.

Plummer was overjoyed at how von Bertouch got through training after some initial discomfort, and admitted her likely return gave the hosts a massive boost for tomorrow night's sold out test at Hisense Arena.

"She's looking good, she had a run this morning and she's pulled up fine. I'll get the medical report but my expectation is she'll be a goer, so we're pleased about that," Plummer said.

"She's had a great year. She won the car (for trans-Tasman league player of the year)... she's a leader and I've always liked her as a player."

Aitken decided not to risk Barrett-Chase so she was sent home to Invercargill to recuperate in the hope of playing the final two tests in New Zealand.

It left Canterbury's Maree Bowden likely to don the wing attack bib, with the other option involving moving Temepara George to wing attack, Laura Langman to centre and introducing newcomer Larrissa Willcox to wing defence.

Today's injury news may have swung favouritism back the home side's way as New Zealand try to win back-to-back tests in an Australian series for the first time since 1981.

Barrett-Chase and George's combination was a key factor in their first test victory, and got stronger as the match wore on.

Certainly, Plummer felt confident her side could improve after they hoisted six more shots than the Ferns in Sydney but only hit 76 per cent to Irene van Dyk and Maria Tutaia's 88 per cent.

"We had our opportunities, six more attempts at goal. I was delighted with our centre court, but it can get better and now von Bertouch's back she's much more a spearhead."

Still, New Zealand should have the edge at the attacking end, with key Aussie defenders Mo'onia Gerrard, Bianca Chatfield and Laura Geitz missing.

Aitken admitted von Bertouch's likely return was a confidence booster for the hosts, and stressed her side needed to retain their self-belief and cool heads from Sydney.

"In the first quarter they managed to rattle us a little bit and jammed us together. When we backed ourselves, opened the court up and put that ball in space there was actually room.

"They need to know that what Australia will be trying to do to them again is to shut them down. We've got to have confidence in each other, we've just got to go out and let it rip, really."

The Ferns have an impressive record at the Melbourne venue, winning the past three trans-Tasman tests there including the 2006 Commonwealth Games gold medal -- although both coaches played down any perceived advantage.

Ferns captain Casey Williams demanded a more ruthless finish after they let Australia back in Sunday's game.

"We were very disappointed. We had the opportunity to push it out and we didn't take it. Just the finishing in the last five minutes was quite messy from us, so we just need to tidy that up."

- NZPA