Netball: Australia to meet Ferns one-on-one

By JULIE ASH in Christchurch

Australian netball captain Liz Ellis says her side will need to match the Silver Ferns man-for-man if they are to topple the world champions in the opening test tomorrow night in Christchurch.

While Victoria Edward and Joline Henry are the only newcomers to the Silver Ferns side for the three-test series, Australia have undergone a series of changes.

Five new players have been added to the side since the world championships, including towering defenders Demelza Fellowes and Bianca Chatfield who have been brought in to try to combat shooting ace Irene van Dyk.

However, Ellis believes beating the Silver Ferns will take more than just shutting down van Dyk.

"I think the game will be won and lost all over the court.

"I think we will be kidding ourselves if we just focus entirely on Irene.

"She is an awesome player but if you worry about her there are a whole lot of other Silver Ferns that can turn around and bite you," Ellis said.

"With speed like Anna Rowberry's in the midcourt ... Adine [Harper], Temepara [Clark], they are all capable of being match winners.

"We have to make sure we don't just focus on the one player and that we do have good match-ups throughout the court."

While the match will be the Silver Ferns' first international since they beat Australia in the final of the world championships in Jamaica last July, Australia go into the game having had wins over England and South Africa.

They arrived in Christchurch on Sunday night having just completed a series of "friendlies" against the English team. "We have needed those games because we have got so many new combinations and players in the team," Ellis said.

"I think the Silver Ferns are experienced enough netballers and have played with each enough just to slot back into their regular rhythm."

The veteran Australian defender admits that it is a little strange for them going into the series as the second best team in the world after the Silver Ferns ended Australia's 16-year world championship reign last year.

"Although I don't like being ranked number two in the world I have got to get used to it and got to get past it," Ellis said.

"It is great to be going into a series with some butterflies and some nerves and I am really looking forward to pitting my team against the best team in the world."


TEST SERIES

* NZ v Australia

* Christchurch, tomorrow night

* Palmerston North, Friday night

* Hamilton, July 5

* All matches live in TV One from 7.30