Silver Ferns: On the right track

Laura Langman of New Zealand is challenged by Kim Ravaillion of the Diamonds during the 2015 Netball World Cup Gold Medal match. Photo / Getty Images

It didn't come off for them in Sydney, but the formula the Silver Ferns discovered in the lead-up to the World Cup should not be thrown out.

The new attacking and expansive style of netball the team employed during the tournament along with a "no fear" attitude has brought about an improvement in not only competitiveness, but also team culture.

Freed from the burden of public expectation followed a disastrous 2014 season and emboldened with a new game plan that suited the strengths of the team, the Ferns looked an entirely different unit on and off the court during their World Cup campaign.

There was a belief and confidence in the group that hasn't been there for a very long time. With that self-belief came enjoyment for the game again.

The 58-55 loss to the clinical Diamonds side in Sunday's final, while devastating, should not discourage the Ferns from continuing their approach.

The New Zealand side proved in their 52-47 pool-play win against the Australians and again in patches of the last three quarters of the final they have a gameplan that can match, and at times even better, that of the Australians.

The key difference between the two sides on Sunday was Australia were able to execute their gameplan for the full 60 minutes, New Zealand were not.

Against a side as clinical and efficient as the Diamonds, you don't tend to come back from lapses as big as the eight minute period in the opening quarter when attacking jitters got the better of the young Ferns side.

But this New Zealand side is still early in their development, having only come together six weeks ago. There is still improvement to be made and depth to build.

In that sense it is a shame that some of the changes to the programme did not come sooner and you've got to again wonder what shape this team might be in now had planning for the post-Irene van Dyk era been better handled.

A serious knee injury to Bailey Mes, the team's starting shooter in Sydney, and a lack of depth in New Zealand's shooting ranks did not help Ferns' management in their succession planning.

It only became obvious after their 4-0 Constellation Cup loss to Australia that their gameplan required major overhaul.

The foundations were laid over the past nine months with the increased focus on strength and conditioning, along with the work the leadership group did behind the scenes to build a strong team culture.

That overhaul might not have come soon enough, but at least now, finally, they are on the right track.