Netball: Ferns to experiment against England

Coach Ruth Aitken has given the Silver Ferns the chance to experiment. Photo / Getty Images

Silver Ferns coach Ruth Aitken has handed her side licence to experiment in their opening test against England as the team adjust to a different attacking dynamic.

Tonight's game at Waitakere's Trusts Stadium is the Ferns' first outing following their world championship loss in July. Since then several changes have been made to the New Zealand lineup, on and off the court.

The defensive end is missing captain and chief ball-getter Casey Williams and her senior lieutenant, Katrina Grant, through injury.

Aitken has able back-up from Leana de Bruin and Anna Scarlett to take on starting roles, but has only 19-year-old rookies Kayla Cullen and Sulu Tone-Fitzpatrick to call on from the bench.

The retirement of Temepara George has left a gaping hole in the midcourt. Liana Leota will step into the starting wing attack spot, with converted shooter Anna Thompson providing cover in the position.

While the other two-thirds of the court are missing a sizeable chunk of experience, the shooting end is suddenly flush with talent, with former Samoan international Cathrine Latu finally eligible to don the black dress.

Although Irene van Dyk is still considered the first-choice option under the net, it is expected Latu will be injected into the match at some point for her Ferns debut.

The addition of Latu has added another dimension to the New Zealand attack, but Aitken expects there will be a period of adjustment for the 1.89m shooter as she develops new combinations with the midcourt.

"At the moment we're giving players the licence to let the ball go. Sometimes the error rate is a bit higher than what we would like, but we feel we have to start there before we actually get into possession as our only thing."

One player who needs no second invitation is Leota, who is looking forward to throwing caution to the wind and trying a few new things.

The crafty midcourter believes playing an understrength England side presents the perfect opportunity to get back in the groove again before the Ferns take on the world champion Australian side in a three-test series later this month.

Leota finds herself heading into the five end-of-year tests in a strange sort of space.

She has the opportunity to step up and play a leading role in the midcourt following the retirement of George. But following this year her netballing future is unclear.

Leota's family will move to the UK after her husband, Johnny, signed a rugby contract with English club Sale.

The 26-year-old is undecided whether she will take up an offer of playing in the English Superleague next season, preferring to wait before making up her mind.

She has also previously spoken about a desire to extend her family in the future.

Leota said she is unsure if or when she will next play for the Silver Ferns.

"I'm not really thinking about next year. I just want to get out on the court and play good netball again. I really want to be out there and be another leader in this team."

Silver Ferns v England
Monday, 7.40pm
Trusts Stadium, Waitakere