There's set to be plenty of flair and fire on display at the Cadbury Netball Series starting Wednesday night at Auckland's Pulman Arena as the Silver Ferns, New Zealand A, Aotearoa Men and a mixed
Netball: Silver Ferns face stiff competition in Cadbury Netball Series
There's also a good dose of Australian flavour in the mixed side. Midcourt dynamos Kelsey Browne and Laura Scherian have travelled to New Zealand to play after being coached to Super Netball glory at the Sunshine Coast Lightning by Dame Noeline Taurua. The pair have represented Australia but remain unwanted by Diamonds coach Stacey Marinkovich.
Also in the mixed side is former Ferns defender Leana de Bruin and Central Pulse midcourter Maddy Gordon who, having missed out on Birmingham selection, possesses plenty of fire in her belly to shine against the Ferns.
Although the Ferns team remains unpredictable, a few things are certain knowing Taurua's style.
They will want to be patient, get the ball to the circle edge, shooters will be encouraged to turn and shoot from anywhere and zone defence will be utilised. However, a major challenge the Ferns this series will be implementing those strategies in the absence of Taurua, who is currently isolating with Covid-19.
The side is hoping Taurua will re-join the group in the latter stages of the tournament following her isolation period and pending negative Covid tests.
The Aotearoa Men and mixed invitational sides open the tournament at 6pm on Wednesday, followed by the Silver Ferns and New Zealand A at 8pm.