Ensuring their players are physically strong appears to be high on the agenda for the Silver Ferns and Australia ahead of Saturday night's test in Auckland.
After the bruising encounter in June, which Australian coach Norma Plummer labelled "a fight" rather than netball, both camps appear keen to ensure their
players are tough enough for the knocks.
It has been reported that the Australian team met with a rugby coach before they came to Auckland who discussed with them how to stay strong during body contact.
Australia vice-captain Sharelle McMahon said her side have been doing "some different things" to help improve their ability to remain "nice and strong" when taking the ball.
"We are always working on our strength," McMahon said. "When the games are physical that is really important. It is something now that we don't have matches every week we'll be able to concentrate more on, which will hopefully put us in a good position when we are out on court."
The Silver Ferns had a hit-out against the Auckland men's team on Tuesday night and a training session yesterday that incorporated strength work.
Silver Ferns captain Adine Wilson said the physical nature of the game has meant physical strength has become more important.
"Netball now is extremely physical. I think it is partly to do with the fact that a lot of girls are just so physically strong and athletic. They can take some amazing balls and come around the players, but every now and then are going to get their timing slightly wrong and there is going to be a hit. Because they are all so powerful and strong the hit is usually fairly big as well.
"You have to be prepared for that. You have to work on your core strength so if you get hit you can stand up strong."
