Netball: England will be no match for Silver Ferns claims Coffin

By JULIE ASH in Christchurch

Former Silver Fern Jenny-May Coffin believes New Zealand will be too fast for England in tonight's first test in Christchurch.

Although England beat Coffin's New Zealand A team by 10 goals in a practice match on Saturday, Coffin does not expect the visitors to be any match for the Silver Ferns.

"I think the Silver Ferns by 20," she said. "The Silver Ferns are a tough team who are on their way up and I don't think England have improved since they last played the Silver Ferns in February."

Coffin was part of the New Zealand team that beat England in a three-test series in England in February. The Silver Ferns won all the matches 52-36, 61-40 and 64-45.

Coffin said the New Zealand A team, which also includes former Silver Ferns Angela Mitchell and Daneka Wipiiti, simply failed to adjust to the English style of play.

"They play very one handed, like Australia. They play the ball really wide on attack and their defence is long and rangy.

"Their defence are quite mobile as well but they have these arms that come out of nowhere and you think you can pass it but you can't.

"Without their captain, Olivia Murphy [who is recovering from surgery on her ankle], their midcourt was a bit slower and not as sharp and flowing. But I was quite impressed with shooter Alex Astle, she has really improved."

It is in the defence that the English have plenty of options. Coach Lyn Gunson can opt for either the long, lean limbs of Sonia Mkoloma, Geva Mentor, or Janet Coulbourne or the power of experienced defender Naomi Siddall.

Captain Amanda Newton, also a defender, is likely to start at wing defence, teaming with Tracey Neville and Karen Aspinall in the midcourt. Astle and Australian-born Abby Teare are likely to start in the shooting positions.

Coffin's advice to the Silver Ferns is to let the ball go. "I would say keep it short and sharp. The speed will beat them and defensively I think the zone will work on them."

In the 55 times the sides have met, New Zealand have won 52 matches, drawn two and lost one by one goal, in 1975.

England assistant coach and former Silver Fern Waimarama Taumaunu admits it will be tough beating the Silver Ferns but believes her team are making steady progress.

"We want to put together four consistent quarters, which we haven't done and certainly didn't do against New Zealand in February.

"To do that we are going to have to cut down out error rate quite significantly," Taumaunu said.

"In England there is a high error rate and in England they get away with it because the other team does as well but in New Zealand if you throw the ball away Irene [van Dyk] will score a goal against you."

And it is the Silver Fern shooter who Taumaunu believes is going to cause her team the most trouble.

"Irene is a real strength but I think they have got depth throughout the court. Depth, flair and skill. It would take a brave person to identify any weaknesses in their side."

In the Silver Fern camp coach Ruth Aitken is likely to stick with the tried and true for the first match before experimenting with combinations in the second and third tests.

Van Dyk and Belinda Colling are likely to team up in the goal circle, with captain Anna Rowberry at centre and either Adine Harper or Temepara Clark at wing attack.

Ninety-two test veteran Lesley Nicol should start at wing defence and Vilimaina Davu and Sheryl Clarke in defence.

"England are looking quite sharp actually," Rowberry said.

"Their midcourt is looking very speedy, they pass and cut and their defensive combination is very similar to what we had in the UK, very tall and rangy with long arms. So the game plan will be to keep flat and not forcing aerial ball in."

With the world championships in Jamaica in July, Rowberry said her side had set themselves plenty of goals for the series.

"We have to look at this as our journey and preparation for the worlds. It is about getting out there and playing the best and in each game building."

The second test is in Wellington on Wednesday and the third in Auckland on Friday. All three matches start around 7.45pm.

ON TV Live on TV One from 7.30 tonight.