Netball: Ferns see midcourt as area to exploit

By JULIE ASH in Christchurch

Silver Ferns captain Anna Rowberry says her side will be looking to expose Australia's new-look midcourt in the opening match of the three-test series tonight in Christchurch.

Joline Henry and Victoria Edward are the only newcomers to the world-champion Silver Ferns, but Australia have five new players.

Following the retirement of veterans Rebecca Sanders and Nicole Richardson, Australia are a little light on experience in the midcourt and a lot will fall on the shoulders of Natasha Chokljat, who first played New Zealand in the final of the world championships last July.

"Their midcourt probably isn't as strong as it has been in the past," Rowberry said.

"That is an area we can expose and, if you look at the Silver Ferns, that is one of our areas of strength at the moment with five players in this current side as midcourters.

"Certainly we'll be wanting to push through and get that pace going in the midcourt ... that controlled pace."

Despite the number of newcomers, Australia can start with the same lineup as they did in the final of the world championships, with the exception of two positions (goal defence and centre).

Cynna Neele and Sharelle McMahon are expected to start at goal shoot and goal attack while Chokljat, who started at wing attack in the world championship final, may find herself at centre with the reinstated Susan Meaney at wing attack.

Peta Scholz, one of Australia's veterans, is likely to get the nod at wing defence but from there the defence becomes tricky to pick.

Captain Liz Ellis will obviously feature in the mix but it is hard to say whether she will stay in her traditional position of goal keep or will start out at goal defence to allow one of the side's towering defenders, Demelza Fellowes or Bianca Chatfield, to tackle Irene van Dyk.

Janine Ilitch, who replaced Australian captain Kathryn Harby-Williams in the last quarter of the final, is another option, as is Alison Broadbent, who has played with Ellis in the same club team for the past 13 years. "My feeling is that they would start with Demelza [Fellowes] and Liz [Ellis]," Silver Ferns coach Ruth Aitken said.

"But I think we'll see a variety of defence out there. From what I have heard she [Australian coach Norma Plummer] is going to see what has the most effect."

In comparison, the Silver Ferns starting lineup appears a little more clear-cut with the only dilemma really being who will start in the midcourt.

Rowberry appears to be back to full fitness, despite missing almost half of the National Bank Cup with a broken arm, so should either start at wing attack or centre.

The question is whether it will be Adine Harper, who was the standout player of the national league, or Temepara Clark who will join her.

"We have to build a strong platform to start with."

In their last two encounters just two goals have separated the sides. Australia won 57-55 at the Commonwealth Games and New Zealand won 49-47 at the world championships.

Aitken expected a similarly close encounter. "History has shown that they can go down to the wire and past experience while it is great for your confidence levels cannot be relied on at all times," she said.

"I think our players are expecting it to be fast, furious and physical.

"We have to be very controlled in our movements and very strong and powerful in our movements."

* The match is live on TV One from 7.30pm.