Netball: Ferns look to regain sparkle and flow

Sindisiwe Gumede was training hard at the Trusts Stadium yesterday. Picture / Brett Phibbs

Silver Ferns captain Adine Wilson said her side are looking to get back three things in tonight's one-off test against South Africa in Auckland - their sparkle, their flow and their confidence.

The Silver Ferns regrouped in Auckland yesterday following their 10- goal loss to Australia in the second test in Sydney.

Although several days had passed since the Australians outclassed a flat-looking Silver Ferns side, Wilson was still understandably a little, well ... mad.

"I hated it," she said.

"I don't like losing. Losing is awful but if it means that we are a better team because of it, I'll accept it. We had the debrief and talked about all the little bits and pieces and we'll make sure they don't happen again."

Wilson's vice-captain and fellow midcourter Temepara George will have a fitness test this morning to determine whether she will play.

The sprightly centre tore a stomach muscle in Tuesday's second test against Australia and although she played on, was clearly uncomfortable.

New Zealand easily dismissed the South Africans in the Commonwealth Games and should be equally dominant tonight.

"I think the girls are pretty fired up ... we want to get that sparkle back, our flow back and our confidence as a team," Wilson said.

While the Silver Ferns are expected to be stronger than their rivals in the shooting circle and through the midcourt South Africa's shooting line-up - which is headed by Sindisiwe Gumede who standing at 1.92m is 2cm taller than the Ferns' tallest player, Irene van Dyk - could provide a challenge.

"It is always handy having a bit of height in that circle. It is nice to feed to for sure," Wilson said, speaking of her relationship with van Dyk.

"Part of our game preparation is looking at their possible combinations, their strengths and what we need to do them against them."

Silver Ferns coach Ruth Aitken has indicated she will tinker with her lineup during the match which could see Otago Rebels midcourter Debbie White make her debut.

However, Aitken said yesterday that if George was not fit then she would go for a more "conservative line" to start with.

While some selection calls possibly contributed to their loss against Australia, Wilson believes in the theory that the more players that get international experience, the better it is for the team in the long run.

"When the opportunity comes up, whether there is an injury or illness, the more people that have been in that situation before, the better ... [for] it is going make us a stronger team," she said.

NEW ZEALAND V SOUTH AFRICA

Tonight 8.45 at Waitakere's Trusts Stadium, live TV One.

The teams

New Zealand: Irene van Dyk, Maria Tutaia, Belinda Colling, Adine Wilson (c), Temepara George, Laura Langman, Leana de Bruin, Vilimaina Davu, Casey Williams, Joline Henry, Anna Scarlett

South Africa: Charlene Hertzog (c), Nthabiseng Moabi, Sindisiwe Gumede, Christine Markgraaff, Zanele Mdodana, Adele Niemand, Yvonne Phiri, Yolandi Saalmans, Claudette Fourie, Karin Venter, Liezel Wium, Leigh-Ann Zackey.