Netball: NZ to test combos in Fastnet series

New Zealand's Laura Langman in action against Australia. Photo / Richard Robinson

The new-look netball world series in England provides an ideal opportunity for New Zealand to test drive new combinations and consolidate established ones, according to former Silver Fern Tracey Fear.

The tournament will see netball's top six countries - Australia, New Zealand, England, Jamaica, Samoa and Malawi - play an intensified version of the sport, including rolling substitutions and two-point goals over four six-minute quarters.

The three-day series, starting tomorrow in Manchester, will be followed for the Silver Ferns by a one-off test against England and two matches against Jamaica.

Fear, now high performance manager for Netball New Zealand, said while the series was a step into the unknown there was no doubt it would be hotly contested.

"We don't discount the challenge ahead but it's an exciting new competition and we've got nothing to lose," she said.

"It gives players an opportunity to get out on court and try things without all the pressure and intensity that an Australian test match has."

Fear said the Silver Ferns had only a short period to prepare for the three-day series since arriving in England last Saturday, but most other teams were in the same situation.

"The only teams that have really had the opportunity to practise are England and Jamaica out of that top four, so we expect they'll probably look a wee bit more polished," she said.

With four six-minute quarters per game, and up to three games in a day, Fear said the series was an ideal way to expose inexperienced players to the next level of netball.

"It's all over and done with pretty quickly, but it doesn't count for ranking points. In terms of its priority for us, certainly we'll use it to challenge players and grow combinations."

The Silver Ferns have included newcomers Charlotte Kight and Millie Lees in their squad, and have also taken New Zealand under-21 representative Grace Rasmussen as a training partner.

While the FastNet tournament will be a chance to test combinations, Fear said the Silver Ferns would look to hit top form for the following tests against England and Jamaica.

"We'll certainly want to be at our best for those, but the good things is that the fuller squad will have the chance to train together in the lead-up.

"It's a chance for Charlotte and Millie and even Grace to put their hand up and say 'pick me'."

Fear said the recent five-test series against Australia -- won 3-2 by the world champion Diamonds -- had seen huge improvement in the Silver Ferns' play, with New Zealand's fifth test 52-36 win a high point.

"We were able to get 11 players out on court against Australia, and that was fantastic in terms of the understanding and combinations."

A developing defensive partnership between Casey Williams and Katrina Grant, strong options in the midcourt with Temepara George, Liana Barrett-Chase and Laura Langman, and the growth of Maria Tutaia and Paula Griffin in tandem with goal shoot Irene van Dyk had strengthened over the Australian series.

"I wouldn't be surprised to see the Paula-Maria option tried at some stage during the next few games," Fear said.

"Overall, it's that combination and understanding , and that confidence to just let the ball go to each other, that's really starting to develop."

- NZPA