The time for experimentation and confidence-building is over, retiring Silver Ferns netball coach Ruth Aitken says.
New Zealand this week downed world No.3 England by 20-plus goal margins in Auckland and Invercargill, as Aitken gave all her 12-strong squad court time in a range of combinations.
But with a three-Testseries looming against world champions Australia later this month, Aitken says there will be limited opportunity for her rookies to get a run from now on.
"In the end, it will be about narrowing down to a couple of more consistent lines against Australia," Aitken said.
The Diamonds kick off a three-Test series against England on Sunday, followed by three more matches against New Zealand beginning in Perth on October 23.
They have a new coach, Lisa Alexander replacing the redoubtable Norma Plummer, and could well be without a couple of key players in Mo'onia Gerrard with a calf injury and captain Natalie von Bertouch has a foot injury.
Nevertheless, Aitken is adamant a series against Australia is not the place to continue blooding her young rookies, and is demanding rapid improvement from her more experienced players.
"We all know we need to take a step up. The England series was a good platform, but it's going to be way harder when we go across the ditch."
Evergreen shooter Irene van Dyk, who played her 200th netball international on Thursday in Invercargill, has had years of experience battling the always combative Australians and reinforced Aitken's call for improvement.
"It was nice to get the youngies out against England to gain confidence and experience, but Aussie is a totally new ball game," she said.
"But we'll have to step up four times as much - balls we threw last night against England would never go down against Australia."
