"I would argue Maria is the only true long-range shooter in the game," says Ferns assistant coach Vicki Wilson.
"The next closest might be Erin Bell [Thunderbirds] but they would be the only two who actually have a crack at it. You see defenders rolling their eyes. When Maria is on song, she is very difficult to contain because of her height and mobility."
Brown also recognises that.
"She is super important," she says. "On court, she is almost emotionless, very steady, very calm. The way she conducts herself - it gives you confidence to give her the ball. She is a big-time player and has been the difference in the past."
It's easy to recall the 2010 Delhi Commonwealth Games, when after two extra-time periods against Australia, Tutaia slotted the winning shot from distance to seal a precious gold medal. That was possibly her finest performance in the black dress, with 41 goals from 50 attempts across 80 minutes of excruciating pressure.
There was almost a repeat at the 2011 world championships in Singapore, but a late attempt from Tutaia lipped out before Caitlin Bassett sealed the match for the Diamonds, after Australia had trailed by six goals.
"Singapore was gutting," said Tutaia. "But it shows what netball is like. You can be up by five or six goals and it can turn in the last quarter. In tournaments, it is the team who turns up on the day and that is the key focus for us. If you turn up on the day with any doubt in your mind ... you can't afford that."
Tutaia is a much more rounded player than she was at the last world tournament. The 28-year-old has added a considerable defensive workrate and remains an underrated feeder.
But it is her shooting ability that will be under the spotlight in Sydney. For all of their struggles over the past two years against the Diamonds, the Ferns have often competed well at the defensive end of the court, especially when Casey Kopua is in the game. Bassett is an intimidating presence, but she can be contained. Unfortunately, the Ferns have not always capitalised on turnovers and possession at the other end of the court.
Tutaia had a mixed 2015 season. She was part of a much-improved Mystics line-up (domestically at least), as they topped the New Zealand conference. However, Tutaia's performances, like the rest of her team, slumped badly in the playoffs with consecutive losses to the Magic and Firebirds. But that might be irrelevant now, as Tutaia often finds her best form for the national team.
"My season was a bit up and down," she said. "I was consistent during pool play but I let myself down come finals time [and] had a few niggles here and there.
"But I'm a very confident person and back myself 100 per cent. Everybody knows I will just turn and shoot when I am on. There have been times when I haven't been the match winner but, as a shooter, you need to take that responsibility. It's true that as a shooter if you are hot, the Silver Ferns will be hot."
