Netball: Aitken weathers battering

Veteran shooter Irene van Dyk has copped much of the blame for the Silver Ferns' poor showing against the World Seven. Photo / Richard Robinson

"Someone up there must think my character needs testing," Silver Ferns coach Ruth Aitken joked to reporters yesterday before the great inquisition into New Zealand's woeful start to the international season began.

It has certainly been a character-building week for the Ferns. The reality of being a national team playing under par hit home yesterday with a media crowd armed with the tough questions at their training session.

Staring down the barrel of an embarrassing series whitewash to the visiting World Seven side, the Ferns have copped a battering.

Questions have been asked over the future of the coaching staff and some of the veterans in the side after a 44-48 loss in Wellington on Monday was followed up by an even more sobering nine-goal defeat in Rotorua on Wednesday.

The knives will be out even more in the coming days unless the Kiwi side can produce a remarkable turnaround in tonight's third and final test at Waitakere's Trusts Stadium.

With the five-test series against Australia beginning in just over a week, the Ferns desperately need a confident and cohesive display against the talented World Seven line-up.

But with the New Zealand team undergoing some radical tactical and style changes, particularly in their attacking play, there are some serious growing pains going on.

"We know we're judged on every performance and that's just the reality," said Aitken. "But as a coach I still have to keep looking to the long term."

As has been the case in the past when the Ferns haven't performed, Irene van Dyk has copped much of the blame for the New Zealand side's dismal start to the international season.

The 1.9m sharp-shooter has not been as dominant as she has in previous years and at least two former players have called for her to step aside and allow fresh talent to come through.

Van Dyk admits taking the flak can be frustrating, but she is happy to play the martyr if it means protecting her younger, inexperienced teammates.

"I've been around the block a few times so it's like hit me, it's okay. It's nicer that they hit me, rather than kicking a younger player who has her whole career in front of her. They get slammed and it might put them back three years," said van Dyk.

But New Zealand assistant coach Waimarama Taumaunu expressed disappointment the Silver Ferns legend had come under attack for what had been team failings.

"She shot 90 per cent on Wednesday night, so she continues to do a job that any other team would welcome."

But Taumaunu said Silver Ferns rookie Paula Griffin was likely to start tonight's match, with the coaching staff eager to give all 12 players court time during this series.

GAME PLAN

Silver Ferns v World Seven
Trusts Stadium, 7.45 tonight