KEY POINTS:
Australia intend to exploit New Zealand's new-look midcourt when the world netball heavyweights face off in the trans-Tasman series starting in Auckland on Wednesday night.
New Zealand head into the three-test series without their centre-line maestro Temepara George, who's missing the series for personal reasons, and Australia believe
the Silver Ferns could struggle without her.
And despite Australia losing star defender Mo'onia Gerrard to a calf muscle injury, wing defence Selina Gilsenan feels her side may have an edge in the midcourt where she teams with Adelaide siblings Natalie and Laura von Bertouch.
"We've been lucky enough to establish a strong line-up in our midcourt," said Gilsenan, who rolled an ankle in the second test win over Jamaica but is expected to prove her fitness in today's training match at Vector Arena.
"The midcourt is going to be more of an issue for the New Zealanders, especially losing Temepara just recently.
"It should be more important for them than it is for us."
Australia, ranked second in the world behind the Silver Ferns, watched the revamped New Zealand side beat Jamaica on Saturday with a new wing attack/centre combination of Maree Bowden and Laura Langman.
Gilsenan said those matches gave her team useful clues for the trans-Tasman series, which includes two matches in Australia, and for the world championships in November.
"The new wing attack (Bowden), she plays, to me, a different style to Adine (Wilson), so it was great for me to see her play," Gilsenan said.
"It helps getting a chance to watch them before we play, but of course, we'll have to adjust to suit their play."
"Obviously we need to combat their new line-up as well. It will be good for us to see that before going into world champs."
Vice-captain Sharelle McMahon agrees exposing any weakness from the absence of George will help her side, but is careful not too write off some of the younger New Zealand players.
"I think that (George) is obviously a great player for them, but it's probably allowed them to expose some of their other players to international netball," McMahon said.
"We know her style of game and we've played against her a few times, but if they bring some new players in they will perhaps be a bit of a surprise package for us."
Meanwhile, one player the Australians know well is likely to be a factor in midcourt ahead of the newly capped Bowden, her provincial teammate Julie Seymour.
The Cantabrian is poised to make her 80th appearance should she be required to relieve Langman, who is expected to start at centre.
Seymour accepted the Australians would be remiss in not testing out the new midcourt combination though noted captain Wilson was an established cog and expected to play the majority -- if not all -- of the 60 minutes.
"Temepara will be missed but Laura's played some time at centre and I've had some time there," Seymour said.
"While those combinations haven't played at test match level much before, in training camps and trial situations it's been so far, so good."
Langman started at centre in both tests against Jamaica, impressing coach Ruth Aitken, although the converted wing defence was occasionally guilty of recycling possession too eagerly in an attempt to feed premier shooter Irene Van Dyk.
- NZPA
