KEY POINTS:
Focus has never been a problem for netball coach Norma Plummer - not since Australia lost their world title to New Zealand four years ago in Jamaica.
Plummer took over from Jill McIntosh shortly afterwards, and has ever since concentrated her attention on winning back the coveted title
from the Silver Ferns.
It's not been an easy road for the former Australian captain, with New Zealand's 60-55 victory last year to win gold at the Commonwealth Games something of a low point.
But six wins from the last nine tests against New Zealand seem to indicate Australia have turned the corner.
Plummer, however, will admit only to a "quiet confidence" going into the week-long tournament starting in Auckland on Saturday.
"I've been very pleased with the way everything has panned out - I'm extremely happy with the preparation," she said.
"The girls have shown real committment to our programme."
For the first time in months, Plummer said she has no injury worries.
Gritty midcourt defender Mo'onia Gerrard has shaken off the calf problem which has dogged her, a recent ankle twinge to wing defence Selina Gilsenan has proved fleeting, and teacher Laura von Bertouch has recovered quickly from a viral infection.
"For the first time in a while, I've got no injury worries. And if something did crop up, I'd be thinking it's a great opportunity for me to try out another player," Plummer said.
She couldn't be happier with the way her 12-strong squad are pushing each other for on-court time.
"That's what any coach tries to achieve at any time - you want your players testing each other to the hilt."
Plummer has worked hard to bring a new raft of players through over the last year, and goes into the world championship with only three players remaining from the squad that lost the world title in Jamaica.
Those three - captain Liz Ellis, vice-captain Sharelle McMahon and shooter Catherine Cox - provide a wealth of experience, with Ellis playing in her fourth world championship.
But players like Adelaide midcourt sisters Laura and Natalie von Bertouch, defender Julie Prendergast and shooter Sue Pratley, as well as the immensely talented Gerrard have already proved themselves at the highest level.
"I've got full confidence in their ability to deliver in big-game situations," Plummer said.
While acknowledging the threat posed by New Zealand, she is also wary of focusing too narrowly in the early stages of the tournament.
"We'll be going into the championships on a day-by-day preparation and on a game-by-game basis.
"We're certainly not just concentrating on the Silver Ferns - England have got shooters who can put the ball through the hoop, and Jamaica have got back their strength too.
"If (goal shoot and captain) Elaine Davis is on fire and playing well, they can be a real threat.
"You need to be very mindful that there will be upsets - the world champs are an open forum and anything can happen."
Plummer hasn't let the uncertainty around New Zealand's squad, shaken by a stress fracture to key midcourter Laura Langman combined with the possible return of centre Temepara George, affect her focus.
"We're anticipating Laura will be playing, she's a tough competitor. And I said a long time ago that I believed Temepara would be back."
Whatever combinations take the court against Australia, Plummer has no dobuts at all about what it is going to take to win back the world title.
"So much depends on control - the team that can function physically and mentally under emotional pressure will win."
- NZPA
