Netball: Ferns need confidence says Aitken

By JULIE ASH

An injection of confidence is what Silver Ferns coach Ruth Aitken feels her side needs ahead of tomorrow night's must-win second test in Perth.

The Silver Ferns' four-game winning streak over their fiercest rivals Australia came to an end in Sydney on Saturday where they were torn apart 54-49 in front of 14,300 screaming Australians.

The hesitant and unconfident New Zealand team which took to the court in Sydney was a far cry from the unforgiving slick machine which took on the world and won in Jamaica last year then turned around and beat Australia three-zip just four months ago.

"We weren't complacent, but I just think we underestimated the level of work we needed to do to ensure we got the ball into good feeding and shooting options," Aitken said.

"We didn't play well, that happens ... We can't change that, we just have to get on with it, and I know we can."

But with just two days before the crucial next test (Wednesday 1am NZT), Aitken doesn't have a lot of time to instil confidence in her players.

"There is nothing like the hurt of a loss to make a team come together," she said.

"We just need to back ourselves. I know we can."

New Zealand's chances of winning the second test have increased with the news that Australian captain Liz Ellis will miss tomorrow's test and probably the final match in Melbourne on Saturday.

Ellis, who caused the New Zealand shooters all sorts of difficulty, sprained a ligament in her left ankle in a collision with Ferns shooter Irene van Dyk.

The performance of umpires South African Maggie du Plessis and Barbados' Marion Johnson-Hurley will also come under scrutiny in the second test after what can only be described as an inconsistent exhibition in game one.

Du Plessis was originally the reserve for the series but was called in at the last minute after Trinidad and Tobago's Anne Marie Dickson had problems with her work visa.

Although she umpired in last year's world championships, du Plessis doesn't have a lot of big-match experience and failed to pick up a lot of the off-the-ball contact. While Aitken accepts there is a need to develop umpires, she doesn't believe a series between the top two teams in the world is the best place to do so.

"The umpires do have to have that experience, but it is pretty precious stuff, that's for sure and it is something that IFNA [International Netball Federation] are working on. But we have a long way to go."

Regardless of the umpiring, it was New Zealand's horror start which cost them the match. Australia brought New Zealand's game to a standstill and made it almost impossible to get the ball to shooters Angela Mitchell and Irene van Dyk in the first half. Even the usually reliable high ball into van Dyk was a no go.

At the other end of the court, Australia's Sydney Swifts shooting combination of Catherine Cox and Megan Anderson proved extremely effective, both in shooting and eluding New Zealand's flat defence.

Natalie Avellino showed she'd picked up a few tricks from the Southern Sting in this year's National Bank Cup and was equally as damaging at wing attack.

The Silver Ferns were guilty of far too many turnovers, which helped Australia extend their 14-9 first quarter lead to an 31-22 at half time.

With little option, Aitken rang in the changes at half time. Jodi Te Huna replaced Angela Mitchell at goal attack and Anna Scarlett, who came on for an injured Vilimaina Davu in the second quarter, moved out to goal defence with the return of Davu.

Te Huna was a lot more effective, although she was helped by the injury to Ellis in the third quarter, after which the Australian defensive circle was slightly less effective.

The New Zealanders fought back to within four in the last quarter, but bungled what chances they had getting on top of their opponents.

"They played with great heart in the last quarter but with a team like Australia you can't afford to let them get away on you like that," Aitken said.

The goal shoots

* Irene van Dyk 32 from 33

* Catherine Cox 37 from 41