Dana Johannsen: Williams a key factor for Ferns

In Saturday's Weekend Herald we picked the key areas for the opening transtasman netball test. Here's how they boiled down in yesterday's match:

THE CAPTAINS

The clash between Ferns defender Casey Williams and Australian shooter Sharelle McMahon - was one to watch, with the skill and athleticism on display from the pair outstanding. But it was Williams who dominated most, gobbling up rebound after rebound and producing some inspirational defensive plays in a player of the match performance.

CENTRE SHOWDOWN

The long-awaited showdown between old rivals Temepara George and Natalie von Bertouch did not eventuate, with the Australian vice-captain ruled out of the clash with a chest injury.

Australia lost little through von Bertouch's replacement Kimberlee Green, with the NSW Swifts' midcourter impressive on defence. George stole the show though, with her speed on attack and creative feeding into the shooting circle a highlight.

YOUTH V EXPERIENCE

Much of the talk in the lead-up to the match centred around how Australia's severely depleted defensive end would stack up against the experience of New Zealand sharp-shooter Irene van Dyk. Susan Fuhrmann, who was charged with the responsibility of marking van Dyk, was exposed at times with the Kiwi shooter finding too much space under the goal. Fuhrmann was guilty of not moving her feet enough to confuse the space for the feeders.

But Van Dyk didn't have it all her own way. The long arms of the 1.96m defender causing her some bother at times as Fuhrmann came up with five blocked shots.

WING DEFENCE

After using converted in-circle defenders in the wing defence position last season, this year both sides have returned to using specialists in the role. Diamonds' wing defence Renae Hallinan, starting in just her second test, was probably the best on court for Australia, doing an impressive job of clogging up the middle channel to force a lot of turnovers from the Ferns attack. Laura Langman probably didn't have the impact of defence she would have liked, but provided solid back-up on attack.

THE WILY COACHES

Yesterday's win meant Silver Ferns coach Ruth Aitken continues to hold a narrow lead over her Australian counterpart in the head-to-head battle. The two coaches have now squared off 24 times, with Aitken's New Zealand side winning on 13 of those occasions and Plummer's team 11.

Plummer claimed the moral victory yesterday though - the Australian coach fairly chuffed her understrength side very nearly upset the Ferns.