Netball: Ferns determined to end season on high note

There is no such thing as a "dead rubber" as far as the Silver Ferns are concerned.

With a 3-1 lead in the series the Australians may have the silverware in the bag heading in to tonight's final test but New Zealand captain Casey Williams believes her side have everything to play for.

She said after three straight defeats, the most recent being a devastating one-goal loss in Invercargill, the Ferns are desperate to restore some pride to their season.

"We're still running out there with the same amount of passion and the same determination to win. We really want to finish our season at home on a high," said Williams.

She is expecting another typically ruthless performance from the Diamonds.

"They'd love to go home with a 4-1 series win, so both teams will go out there still fighting the same."

Much of the talk in the lead-up to the match has centred around Irene van Dyk's impending milestone, with the veteran shooter on track to play in her centennial test.

New Zealand coach Ruth Aitken said while it is a "fantastic thing to achieve", the team won't be getting wound up in the emotion of the night. "They love Irene to pieces and they would like nothing more to bring up her 100 on a good note," said Aitken.

"But in the end winning for the Silver Ferns is bigger than any one person."

Australia coach Norma Plummer last night named shooter Cath Cox in the test team.

Cox missed the fourth test in Invercargill after spraining her ankle at training but has been recalled after passing a fitness test yesterday.

SILVER FERNS V AUSTRALIA
* Vector Arena, Auckland, 7.45 tonight
* Live TV1