Netball: Ferns to focus on the bigger picture

Ruth Aitken. Photo / Sarah Ivey

They're back home and back under the pump, but Silver Ferns coach Ruth Aitken believes there is still room to try new things in the remaining two must-win matches against Australia.

Down 2-1 in the five-test series, the pressure is all on the Silver Ferns as they embark on the New Zealand leg of the series, beginning in Invercargill this Sunday.

Another loss to Australia would spell their second series defeat this year after opening the international season with two disappointing losses to the World Seven.

The Ferns endured some stinging criticism following their poor performances against the composite world team, and they can expect to come under similar scrutiny if they don't demonstrate considerable improvement over the next two tests.

But despite her side's precarious position in the series, Aitken is not ruling out developing new combinations.

One of the positives from the series to date is the number of different lines that have experienced the heat of the battle against Australia.

Eleven of Aitken's original 12-strong line-up have taken the court at some stage during the series, with Canterbury shooter Anna Thompson and replacement midcourter Wendy Telfer, who joined the team in place of the injured Liana Barrett-Chase, the only ones not to get a run.

Aitken said although the series is on the line, they must still consider the big picture.

"I think [facing a must-win situation] probably does make you a little bit more conservative but sometimes that's just the initial thing and then you take a step back and say 'well what's our big picture?' So we'll weigh up how much conservatism is required, but in the end we may just have to say 'well let's just do it'."

For the past couple of seasons there have been calls from some quarters for veteran shooter Irene van Dyk to spend some time on the bench to build depth in the shooting end. Those calls have grown louder after Sunday's loss in the third test in Brisbane, where van Dyk was well accounted for by Western Australian Susan Fuhrmann.

The towering defender, who was considered Australia's third-choice goal keep prior to the series, did an impressive job of containing van Dyk.

Fuhrmann's dominance on Sunday illustrated the reason why the New Zealand coaches need to have a plan B in the shooting circle, and Aitken said they will consider making changes in this area in the remaining two tests.

"We set out with the goal of ensuring we develop different shooting combinations and we'll certainly continue with that. As to whether it happens on Sunday remains to be seen."

One possibility is to move Maria Tutaia to goal shoot and put Paula Griffin or Thompson out in front of her.

But with van Dyk on track to notch up her 100th test for New Zealand in the final test in Auckland, it is likely the 37-year-old will still be used in some capacity over the next two games.

The Silver Ferns will have the next few days off before regrouping in Invercargill on Friday.

Aitken will confirm her line-up for the match today after assessing the fitness of Barrett-Chase, who strained her calf in the Ferns' opening test win.

Australian coach Norma Plummer has made a change to her shooting end for the final two tests, with Natalie Medhurst replacing her Adelaide Thunderbirds teammate Kate Beveridge.