Netball: Ferns looking to snap losing streak

Silver Ferns coach Waimarama Taumaunu (left) says a win tonight is essential. Photo / Stephen Parker

England posing ‘huge challenge’

Snapping a five-game losing streak will top the Silver Ferns' to-do list when they host England in Rotorua tonight.

The Silver Ferns have lost five games on the trot, all of which have come at the hands of rivals Australia.

New Zealand's last victory came against England in August - the same opponents they will face tonight, at the Energy Events Centre at 7.30pm.

Silver Ferns coach Waimarama Taumaunu said it was important to put an end to their losing record.

"We recognise that we are on the back of quite a long losing streak so it will be very important for us that we get a win tomorrow," she said.

Taumaunu said they were expecting a tough match tonight, against an English side who boast a good defensive circle and a world-class shooter in Jo Harten.

"We are taking them very seriously. We recognise that they probably, with all the injuries we have had, see us as ripe for the picking. So it is a huge challenge."

The match tonight is the first of a two-game series against England.

The last time the two teams met New Zealand scraped a thrilling 35-34 win, during the semifinal of the Commonwealth Games.

Taumaunu said they had taken lessons from their most recent 4-0 series defeat against Australia and were looking to improve. "I think we made some improvements through the Constellation Cup and we are looking to consolidate those.

"I'd like to think we'll find putting the ball into our shooters a little bit easier through this series and that's because we are better, not because of anything to do with the English defence. I think the English defence pose a good challenge."

She said they had also been working on their through-court and defence. The Silver Ferns trained at the Sportsdrome yesterday, with a warm-up match against a side full of Kia Magic players.

Rotorua's Erena Mikaere, who plays in the ANZ Championship, was also on hand to help give the Silver Ferns a good warm-up. The two-game series against England will see both teams battling it out for the Taini Jamison Trophy.