Netball: The expectations are huge says Rowberry

By JULIE ASH

Anna Rowberry chuckles when asked how it feels heading into the series against Australia as the world champions.

Although the Australians have been quick to admit it is a little strange being ranked second, it seems the Silver Ferns captain is still getting used to the fact her side are No. 1.

She laughs when she admits it's a new experience.

"I just don't think you can take too much into who is ranked first and who is ranked second.

"I think inevitably when New Zealand and Australia play each other it is always a grudge match no matter who is ranked first or second and I think this series will be no exception.

"Although we are ranked number one and go in as favourites, We have got huge expectations that we have placed on ourselves to perform well and carry that momentum from last year through to this year."

For Rowberry, that momentum has taken a little while to kick in.

Her National Bank Cup season was over before it really began after a broken arm ruled her out of the opening three rounds of the competition.

Her Auckland Diamonds side then failed to make the top four, which means Rowberry went into the test series with just four games under her belt.

It was not ideal, considering competition for the midcourt spots in the Silver Ferns side is tight with Temepara Clark and Adine Harper also vying for the centre/wing attack positions.

"Obviously I would have preferred to have played more National Bank Cup games but my injury sidelined me for three and then being out of the top four ... so I went back and played a couple of club games to keep my match fitness going."

Although much has been made of Australia's thorough buildup, Rowberry is confident the Silver Ferns are battle-hardened to go three tests.

"As much as everyone is saying the Aussies have had more matches this year as opposed to the Silver Ferns, I think our National Bank Cup was a lot more competitive than it has been in previous years.

"The matches were a lot more intense, so I think that has given the girls good preparation leading into this series.

"We also had a good buildup against New Zealand A where we worked on quite a few things."

With just two new additions to the world champion Silver Ferns side, as opposed to the five in the Australian squad, some netball fans have quietly predicted a convincing series win to New Zealand.

But Rowberry, who has yet to lead a losing team since becoming captain of the national side in 2002, is quick to downplay such suggestions.

"The Aussies have got so much greater depth than in New Zealand. They are a bigger country, they have got more players and certainly they have lost some key players from the world champs, but they have always got pretty good clones that can step into those positions pretty well.

"They have got Demelza [Fellowes] who has been in the Thunderbirds for years and has got good experience at playing at that level. Susan Meaney has been around for a long time ... they are all players that we are familiar with and we have played against before.

"Their midcourt probably isn't as strong as it has been in the past ... 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 ... we have five players in this current side as midcourters."

Defenders Fellowes and Bianca Chatfield, who stand at 1.88m and 1.89m respectively, have been brought in specifically to shut down the Ferns' shooting ace, the 1.90m Irene van Dyk.

That meant Rowberry and her fellow middies had to slightly adjust their game plan.

In Wednesday's opener high balls were restricted in favour of speed and bullet-type passes ... which, of course is Rowberry's forte.

"We just have to be really tidy in everything we do.

"It is not just about Irene [van Dyk] and Demelza [Fellowes] it is about the whole combination working together to ensure that we make it work for Irene."

Inside track

Born: March 31, 1976.

Height: 1.76m

Occupation: Teacher

Caps: 80

Silver Fern 1994-2000, 2002-04