Netball: The things we have learned about the Silver Ferns

Temepara George. Photo / Getty Images

The Silver Ferns will depart for Singapore in two weeks' time with just 120 minutes of test netball under their belt for 2011.

The abbreviated series against Australia, which ended in a one-all draw, wasn't the preparation New Zealand coach Ruth Aitken would have liked, but it has provided a pretty handy gauge of where the Ferns are sitting less than three weeks from the start of the tournament. It has also shown what areas Aitken and her team need to work on.

After losing the first test 47-52 and winning the second 45-42, New Zealand will have this week off before assembling in Auckland on Monday for a three-day camp.

"We have to keep growing and that's just the reality. They know the performance [on Sunday night] will not be good enough when we get to Singapore," Aitken said.

So what have we learnt about the Ferns from the past two tests?

Attack

After last year's Commonwealth Games heroics, Maria Tutaia continues to show her ability to step up and dominate a game. Tutaia carried the shooting end in Sunday's second test when Irene van Dyk made way for Paula Griffin in the second half.

The introduction of Griffin was a risk, but it had to be done with the young shooter not having tasted international netball since October 2009.

As Griffin struggled with the intensity of the match, Tutaia turned on a brilliant long-range shooting display to take the pressure off the New Zealand attack end.

Those trumpeting the tired line "it's time to go, Irene" should note that Griffin's unconvincing showing proved there is still a massive gap between the Ferns' frontline shooters and the benchies. After a quiet game against Susan Fuhrmann in the opening test, van Dyk responded strongly in the second, proving she has the goods in her bag of tricks to see off both of Australia's specialist goal keeps.

The challenge is to get van Dyk and Tutaia firing at the same time.

Midcourt

Probably the most disappointing aspect of the two tests was the lack of development in the midcourt.

Laura Langman and Temepara George reinforced their status as the clear starters, showing their class and experience to grow from their quiet second-half performance in test one.

After challenging for a starting position last season, Liana Leota failed to make an impact in her 15 minutes on court in Palmerston North. Ferns management will be looking at ways they can restore Leota's confidence and get her back into a position where she is a genuine option off the bench.

"We need to be able to use our bench as well, that's where we would like to get to. Players have come off ANZ in varying degrees of form. So trying to fast-track them to the same place is a challenge," said Aitken.

Joline Henry continues to build her confidence after sitting out the bulk of the ANZ Championship with an ongoing ankle injury, although consistency remains a challenge for the 28-year-old.

Defence

The strength of the Silver Ferns undoubtedly rests in their defence end, with four strong defenders who are all interchangeable - Casey Williams, Leana de Bruin, Katrina Grant and Anna Scarlett.

The challenge for the Ferns coaching staff now is figuring out how each player is best used.

But while all four could start and do an impressive job, outstanding captain Casey Williams provides the x-factor and is therefore central to the Ferns' defensive plans.

If there was any doubt as to Williams' value in the side (which there is not), you would only need to look to the opening test in Palmerston North, where the captain was sidelined with a calf injury. New Zealand were missing Williams' "warrior spirit", as Aitken puts it, and did not have the same intensity as the Ferns were defeated.

Not only is Williams' the key ball-getter for her side, but her composure in bringing the ball through the court helps New Zealand greatly on attack.