Netball: Aussie coach has advice for Kiwis

Bemused Kiwis have even taken to asking Australian netball coach Norma Plummer just why New Zealand teams can't win matches on this side of the Tasman.

Deep into the second season of the ANZ Championship, New Zealand teams have not won any out of the 20 transtasman clashes - 13 of them last year - played on Australian courts.

Even the star-studded, near test-strength Magic, who lead the 10-team competition, have been unable to win in Australia.

Plummer was in New Zealand this week to watch the Magic defeat the previously unbeaten Melbourne Vixens.

"The New Zealanders were all asking me why their teams can't win over here," she said.

"I said 'I think the Australian teams adjust better to the umpiring. It's about being smart. There's no use doing the same infringements time and time again and not learning, the umpire is going to call that infringement whether you like it or not."'

There are still six more transtasman clashes scheduled for Australian courts in the regular season, with the ladder-leading Magic playing two, against the sixth-placed Fever and the third-placed Thunderbirds.

Plummer said she believed the competition was even stronger in its second year, pointing to the number of overtime games and close results this season.

However, she felt the skill factor, especially the passing skills, had been down on the inaugural season.

"I don't know if it's just that teams are being a little bit more loose with that or [it] could be the teams defensively have picked up," Plummer said.

"Both Magic and Vixens wasted a lot of ball in their game on Monday night."

Plummer commended the coaches of the five Australian franchises.

With veteran shooters and team leaders Sharelle McMahon and Catherine Cox fully recovered from injuries which sidelined them for most of last year's international programme Plummer admitted the three national selectors had some tough decisions to make.

"I can only take four goalers and I've got seven really good shooters there," Plummer said.

Plummer was pleased with the development of the young West Coast Fever team.

"I certainly like what Fever have been doing," Plummer said.

Speaking of Andrea Gilmore's improvement, she said: "With some good coaching she has really turned the corner and I think she's doing a great job, as is Caitlin Bassett.

"I watched the Fever's game against Steel and they were fantastic the way they went forward and young Caitlin Bassett has really matured," said Plummer, adding: "Madison Browne and Shae Bolton are playing very well."

- AAP