Mwai Kumwenda of Malawi and Casey Kopua of New Zealand compete for the ball during the International Test Match between the New Zealand Silver Ferns and the Malawai. Photo / Getty Images
Mwai Kumwenda of Malawi and Casey Kopua of New Zealand compete for the ball during the International Test Match between the New Zealand Silver Ferns and the Malawai. Photo / Getty Images
The Silver Ferns are finally in a position where they can consolidate their midcourt lines in their tests against Jamaica and England after two years of uncertainty and experimentation.
Over the past couple of seasons retirements, pregnancies and injuries have seen a steady stream of players rotated in the midcourt,with wing attack being the most problematic position.
Liana Leota, Grace Rasmussen, Camilla Lees, Bailey Mes, Anna Thompson, Courtney Tairi, and Shannon Francois have all been paired with dynamic centre Laura Langman since Temepara Bailey retired after the 2011 World Cup. Even Langman has been used at wing attack, as the selectors looked to convert athletic defender Kayla Cullen into a centre.
This month's tour to Britain is the closest coach Waimarama Taumaunu has had to a full-strength midcourt line-up since she took over the reins, with Lees returning from a foot injury that ruled her out of the 2013 international season and her surprise replacement in the starting side, the Steel's Francois, snapping the recent midcourt curse by being available to tour.
With the matches against Jamaica and England being the Ferns' final test hit-outs before the Commonwealth Games, Taumaunu is relieved to have some clarity in the midcourt.
"I'm pretty pleased with all the blondies in the middle, although they're a bit hard to tell apart when they're on tape now," she said.
"They're all extremely fit and in great physical condition and we just need to continue to work on developing cohesion and understanding in there, but I'm really happy with the mix we've got."
After being sidelined since the end of the 2013 ANZ Championship season, Lees appreciated the opportunity to work out a bit of rust and refamiliarise herself with the different combinations in this week's two exhibition matches against Scotland in Glasgow. The Ferns turned in an untidy performance against Scotland in their final warm-up match yesterday as their attacking rhythm was at times compromised by the multitude of line-up changes throughout the match.
After a 54-goal win over Scotland in their opening exhibition game on Monday morning, New Zealand again dominated their hosts but their performance in the 63-26 victory was not as polished.
Lees said the goal of the warm-up games had been to try new things and push one another and with that came the risk of making a few more mistakes than they would like.
"We were probably a bit careless at times. For me it's been a lot of learning to get back to where I was in terms of redeveloping those combinations and adjusting to the speed of the game," she said.
"I think I'm improving each time I go to training, but there are still areas where the execution isn't quite there so that is something I'm hoping will come with a couple more trainings under my belt."
While the New Zealand side were uncharacteristically sloppy at times, Scotland coach Gail Parata did a good job with her experienced side in the one-day turnaround as the home side notably improved in a number of areas from their opening loss, including their through-court defence and finishing in the goal circle.
The Ferns flew to London overnight ahead of Saturday's test against Jamaica. They then take on England on Tuesday - a match that will have special significance for Langman, who is due to notch up her 100th test cap - before rounding out the tour with a game against England A on Wednesday.
Silver Ferns v Jamaica 8.30am, Saturday, Wembley Arena, London Live on Sky Sport
Silver Ferns v England 8.30am, Tuesday, Olympic Park, London Live on Sky Sport.
