Worlds the real test for Silver Ferns

New Zealand captain Casey Williams. Photo / Getty Images

From Delhi dynamite to a Singapore sling. The thrilling, double extra time win in Delhi, which saw the team awarded the Lonsdale Cup for best performance in an Olympic or Commonwealth sport, was just the first element of a two-part plan - and the second part is their real Everest.

"It was fantastic to take gold in Delhi," says Ferns coach Ruth Aitken, "but the 'biggie' for us has always been the world championships. We have always seen them as a linked campaign, given they are only nine months apart."

The tournament in Singapore starts in July, less than five weeks after the ANZ Championship season finale, which leaves the Ferns with no room for some of the below-par performances that marred their 2010 campaigns against Jamaica and Australia.

"We were quite inconsistent in the early tests this year," admits Aitken. "Next year, the consistency has to come earlier - almost straight away - and that is one of the biggest challenges for the players and coaching staff."

Singapore will also see a much tougher draw than Delhi, where there were days off between most matches. The world championships are more congested. The final will be played just 24 hours after the semifinal.

"We will need two top-drawer performances in a very short space of time," says Aitken. "We will have to train for that. But I think the team is much better equipped to cope with those kinds of demands than 12-18 months ago [as their] conditioning and fitness is so much better."

But how can the Ferns evolve and improve, after hitting such a peak in Delhi?

"This year, we were focused on building a team of 12 and that process will continue," says Aitken. "We have to keep developing options from the bench and encouraging internal competitiveness. We can't rest on our laurels."

The Ferns have depth at the defensive end, with any combination of the 'fab four' of Casey Williams, Katrina Grant, Anna Scarlett and Leanna De Bruin completely interchangeable, depending on demand.

The emergence of Liana Leota (nee Barrett-Chase) alongside Scarlett's promising Delhi cameo means there is real competition in the midcourt as well.

Only the attack seems to lack genuine options beyond Irene van Dyk and Maria Tutaia, though Paula Griffin may return after her exile.

The Australians were shocked to lose in Delhi, especially as the match went into added time, usually their forte. The Diamonds were a little unlucky but the Ferns showed slightly more composure in a frenetic finale.

"Wounded Aussies are always dangerous," warns Aitken, "and we expect them to bounce back very hard."

There will be an intense thirst for revenge across the Tasman but it seems Norma Plummer has more issues than Aitken. The Diamonds look inexperienced in the defensive and midcourt areas, while players like Catherine Cox and Sharelle McMahon are formidable competitors but their best netball years are probably behind them.

Plummer has selection dilemmas to resolve and a challenge to settle on her best line-up. Talented midcourter Madison Browne, surprisingly left out of the final Games mix, will come into the team, as will Julie Corletto, among several changes.

In contrast, look for Aitken to name essentially the same 12 as in Delhi. The squad for Singapore will be named on March 16, just five rounds into the ANZ Championship - a small window for any hopefuls to impress.

"We want to name the team early because we believe the Ferns as a group operate best when they know the situation, when there is some certainty around," says Aitken. "It does mean it will be hard for new players to push their way in."

Barring injury, there appears to be just one spot open and it will be a straight battle between incumbent Grace Rasmussen and former Fern Anna Thompson. Both get their chance to impress on the three test tour of England, starting on January 15.

At the same time, the Aussies will be in sunny Jamaica. "We have definitely lucked out," laughs Aitken, who plans some R&R before hitting the freezing climes of the Northern Hemisphere.

She will spend the next two weeks in the Coromandel, determined not to stray far from the bach and beach. "[My husband and sons] love diving and I love seafood so it is a perfect combination."

The year ahead

Silver Ferns in 2011

*January 15: vs England
*January 17: vs England
*January 19: vs England

New World Series

*June 9: vs Australia
*June 12: vs Australia

World Championships

*July 4-6: Round robin play
*July 8: Quarter-finals
*July 9: Semifinals
*July 10: Final