Netball: NZ strive to recreate Aussie 'panic attack'

Temepara George. Photo / Getty Images

Amid carnage of Thursday's night huge victory, Temepara George took great satisfaction from one particular aspect - pronounced anxiety among the girls in green and gold.

"That is what we always want to see with the Australians - that little bit of panic out there on court, said George.

Diamonds coach Norma Plummer made a raft of changes throughout the match, but it did nothing to stem the black tide of goals, as the Silver Ferns romped to their second-biggest victory in 98 transtasman matches, stretching back to 1938.

"We got to see all their possible combinations ahead of Delhi, but we were pleased their changes had no impact. We kept putting our foot on the throttle and drove it home consistently," said George.

Though much of the focus since Thursday has centred on Maria Tutaia, Irene van Dyk and Anna Scarlett, George had a huge match in Wellington.

In her 75th game for the Ferns, the veteran midcourter was dominant in all facets, voted player of the day despite giving up an 8cm height advantage to her marker.

"She is always adding strings to her bow - particularly defensively - and her calmness and leadership on attack makes a huge difference down that end," says Ferns assistant coach Wai Taumanu.

The old saying that defence wins matches was to the fore in Wellington, as the Ferns stifled their opponents throughout the court, forcing an incredible 34 turnovers. Taumanu singled out George and Tutaia for their defensive work, saying she had to give the Mystics duo a"few gentle reminders" in the wake of the Adelaide loss.

"We reinforced some defensive principles and you were looking at two people who stuck to their task better and had great clarity of purpose."

Tutaia confirmed the dressing down: "Wai doesn't do anything gentle," jokes Tutaia, "but she is always right and knows what she is talking about. It is about making sure [that] we are a menace - sometimes I'm not really using my height in defence, so I have to be aware of that. It is still a weakness for me."

There are a number of intriguing sub-plots in today's series decider. Diamonds coach Plummer claimed her team is still building and a shade inexperienced, but she can still call on the four shooters that won her the 2007 world championships, plus veteran centre Natalie von Bertouch.

Thursday's thrashing was the first game since the Australians' Commonwealth Games team was finalised, after Plummer ran a five-week, four-test, selection camp.

Every day was a trial, and veteran attacker Catherine Cox compared it to television series Survivor. Perhaps the uncharacteristically flat performance witnessed three days ago - centre Kim Green admitted they had no "spark" and "everything that could go wrong did" - was a result of that.

For Ferns coach Ruth Aitken things suddenly look a lot rosier, especially as Daneka Wipiti got a substantial period on court. The 1.94m Wipiti is a crucial back-up in the shooting circle, but had previously only played a quarter against the Aussies in her whole career.

The Ferns can afford to go all out for the result today and attempt to secure their first series win over Australia since 2006.

Plummer, who seems far away from settling on her best combination, may be treading a fine line between victory today and making the most of the last chance to assess players against their arch rivals before Delhi.

George and Taumanu hope for more Australian angst today, but say the only guarantee is a much closer match.

"I think we worked them out in Wellington, but I am sure they will find something new today," says Taumanu.

"Thursday was about achieving the style and quality of play that we are capable of. The real test is whether we can continue to put that out against a team as good as Australia."