But with Halpenny and now Tutaia injured, Cathrine Latu and Jodi Brown must shoulder most of the workload. On top of the existing injury problems, the over-reliance on the pair raises concerns of fatigue towards the end of the Games.
The good news is the Ferns have had a rest day before they hit the court again tonight in their fourth pool match, against St Lucia. Halpenny, cleared of ligament damage, is expected to be fit but Tutaia's prognosis was last night still unclear.
Tutaia had discomfort in her foot before yesterday's game and was whisked off when the pain worsened.
Tutaia, who shot the winning goal in the Ferns' stunning double extra-time win over Australia in the 2010 final, is crucial to the side's Commonwealth Games title defence.
Latu has never played in the final of a major tournament, while the last time Brown experienced the heat of a tournament final was in the 2007 World Championship loss to arch-rival Australia.
Coach Waimarama Taumaunu may opt to rest Tutaia against St Lucia tonight, but they will need her back in action for their final pool round match against Jamaica tomorrow. The Sunshine Girls have looked slick in early matches, as have England.