By JULIE ASH
Although nearly twelve months have passed since the Silver Ferns wrestled the world title off Australia on that balmy evening in Jamaica, you get the feeling that Australian captain Liz Ellis is still getting used to the bridesmaid's tag.
And understandably so.
In an international career which has spanned more
than a decade, the veteran Aussie defender has been part of two world championship-winning teams and two Commonwealth gold medal-winning teams.
Finishing second was very much a new experience.
"It is very different ... It is kind of an unusual feeling," Ellis said.
"But I guess when you have been around for so many years now you enjoy a challenge and it is good fun to be doing something a bit differently. Although I don't like being ranked number two in the world I have got to get used to it and got to get past it."
Following the retirement of defender Kathryn Harby-Williams, Ellis now finds herself at the helm of a new-look Australian unit.
Gone are experienced midcourters Rebecca Sanders and Nicole Richardson, and Norma Plummer steps into the coaching job vacated by Jill McIntosh.
"There is no question we are rebuilding, but Australian netball has a pretty proud tradition against New Zealand, so the fact that we are rebuilding is no excuse for not putting out good performances," Ellis said.
"So we are still looking to put in some good strong performances and build on some new combinations and see how the new-look team goes."
Ellis and Harby-Williams were one of the most feared defensive duos in world netball but Ellis said she was enjoying the challenge of combining with a new group of players.
"I miss Kathryn, obviously. She is a great competitor and it was awesome to play in behind her but the bright side is that there are combinations there that we have worked on for a long time and that have been around for a long time, but just haven't stepped up against New Zealand before."
She had played with Ali Broadbent for 13 years at club level, and Janine Ilitch and Bianca Chatfield had been occasional team-mates.
Demelza Fellowes was probably the only player she was unfamiliar with, but this was not a problem.
Ellis is also open to the idea of moving from her more traditional position of goal keep out to goal defence as she did on Wednesday, so that Chatfield and Fellowes could tackle Irene van Dyk.
"One thing Norma has made clear is that she expects everyone to be pretty flexible in the positions they are playing.
"I have played goal keep and goal defence a fair bit and have even had a stint at wing defence. For me it is great fun to run in a position I don't normally get to run in .
"We have got a lot of height in the backline - I am one of the shorter ones in the circle. But I don't think height is the be-all and end-all, you still have to be able to move because we know that Irene has much more to her game than just the hold."
Ellis said that while the Ferns' run-on side had not changed much, her team would continue to focus on their own combinations because they were aware of what New Zealand were capable of, "which is some pretty good netball".
Inside track
Born: January 17, 1973.
Height: 1.83m.
Positions: GK, GD
Occupation: business owner
Caps: 94.
Australian representative 1993-2004
By JULIE ASH
Although nearly twelve months have passed since the Silver Ferns wrestled the world title off Australia on that balmy evening in Jamaica, you get the feeling that Australian captain Liz Ellis is still getting used to the bridesmaid's tag.
And understandably so.
In an international career which has spanned more
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