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Leading up to the last world championships it seemed Ruth Aitken had thought of everything.
The team had practised what they would do if the lights went out, if a player was sent off or where a match went into double overtime.
Aitken had also thought about how
the players would communicate on the court in front of a boisterous and rowdy Jamaican crowd who loved nothing more than to crank up Bob Marley and, surprisingly, Celine Dion.
She called the scenarios 'what ifs'.
The 'what ifs' led the Silver Ferns to a world title.
Leading up to the defence of that world title Aitken has probably had a few more 'what ifs' situations turn into real life than she would have preferred.
In the past year she has lost experienced players Belinda Colling, Vilimaina Davu and Temepara George. She has also seen arch rivals Australia get the better of her team in six of their last 10 encounters and England beat them for the first time in 32 years.
But in some ways the Silver Ferns were in a similar position in 2003. Aitken had taken over as coach only in December 2001 and was rebuilding following the exit of key players Bernice Mene and Donna Loffhagen.
Australia arrived in Jamaica as the favourites but the Silver Ferns left with the trophy.
This time, Australia are not the only team standing between the Ferns and their second consecutive world title. There is also a revived England side, who, under the guidance of former Australian shooter Marg Caldow, have gone from bronze medal hopefuls to serious gold medal contenders.
Then there are the Jamaicans who tend to arrive at world championships with a team full of tall timber. To take the flamboyant Caribbean side lightly could result in the Silver Ferns, who are expected to meet them in the semis, making an early exit.
"The perception is that it is a two horse race but golly, we lost to England earlier in the year and they took Australia very close," Aitken said.
" Jamaica have showed that when they are on form they can be outstanding. England are just really consistent and very settled in their line. It was a shame for them to lose Rachel Dunn, but she is probably their back up shooter.
" I just think that on the day any of the four teams can take it and that is not being flippant."
Aitken, who has a 51 win-11 loss coaching record, will go in to the world championships with a somewhat mixed New Zealand team. While she can call on the experience of Irene van Dyk, Adine Wilson, Julie Seymour and Sheryl Scanlan, the Silver Ferns major weakness is that their links through court are not as strong as some of the rivals, especially Australia whose backline of Liz Ellis, Selina Gilsenan and Mo'onia Gerrard played together in the Sydney Swifts in the Commonwealth Bank Trophy.
In saying that, the Ferns have spent a tremendous amount of time together since their series loss to Australia in July and have lined up against plenty of opponents.
They will also have the earlier part of the tournament, where they face easy opponents, to continue to strengthen.
'We certainly feel there has been a step up since the July series and as a coach that is the most important thing that you are making progress in the right direction. Whether you get there who knows?" Aitken said.
The most pressing issue for Silver Ferns fans is the midcourt.
While there is no denying Laura Langman is more than capable of filling the centre position the question is whether she has had enough time to really settle.
"It is difficult because it won't be tested until those crucial stages," Aitken said.
* NEW ZEALAND
Irene van Dyk
Paula Griffin
Maria Tutaia
Jodi Te Huna
Adine Wilson
Laura Langman
Julie Seymour
Maree Bowden
Joline Henry
Casey Williams
Leana de Bruin
Sheryl Scanlan
