Netball: Ferns seek mental edge against Aussies

Australia vice-captain Natalie von Bertouch is expected to return for tonight's test against the Silver Ferns in Melbourne. Photo / Getty Images

MELBOURNE - They've handled the Melbourne netball cauldron before, but it's D-day as to whether the Silver Ferns have progressed mentally against the world's top-ranked side.

The Ferns shoot for four consecutive wins at Melbourne's Hisense Arena, and a 2-0 lead in the three-test Australian series tonight (9.55pm NZT), after a 53-50 victory in Sydney.

But the key statistic is that New Zealand haven't gone back-to-back in a series on Australian soil since 1981.

That, and the likely return of Australian vice-captain Natalie von Bertouch from a sternum injury, had the home side rated $1.75 favourites last night to the tourists' $2, with Australia's TAB Sportsbet.

Coach Ruth Aitken, who farewelled injured wing attack Liana Barrett-Chase (calf strain) yesterday, wasn't relying on their impressive Melbourne record but rather the confidence gleaned from the first test victory.

"In the end it's about two goalposts and a wooden floor. While that's a really nice record to have, we know that won't stack up (tonight)," Aitken said.

"We have had good experiences here, but every game against Australia you've got to bring that confidence in yourself and each other. That's what we reinforced after the first game."

A year ago the Ferns won 46-41 here, before a 41-43 defeat in Brisbane, and in 2007 it was a 67-65 extra time victory which was followed by a 47-54 loss in Adelaide.

Their previous visit provided one of Aitken's highlights as national coach, a 60-55 win in the Commonwealth Games gold medal match in 2006.

Tonight's match was sold out weeks ago, ensuring plenty of vocal home support for Australian captain Sharelle McMahon in her 99th test.

Barrett-Chase's absence after a solid performance in Sydney meant at least one change to the New Zealand starting lineup.

Canterbury's Maree Bowden appeared the most likely to don the wing attack bib after she performed well starting in that role in the recent victory over the World Seven.

Aitken also suggested Temepara George could move forward to wing attack, with Laura Langman moving to centre and newcomer Larrissa Willcox to wing defence.

Bowden, who played the first of her 11 tests two years ago against Jamaica, was excited about a likely promotion but wary of an Australian backlash with von Bertouch back.

"Any game against Aussie is hard but we'd love to string together as many wins as we could," she said.

"We know they'll come out fighting. Their shooting was pretty much all that let them down and if they can fix that they'll be a force to be reckoned with. Any opportunity to take them down is a good one."

Bowden played out the final minutes in Sydney after Barrett-Chase limped off, and while the Ferns got the speed wobbles with a five-goal lead, she was impressed with the composure to close it out.

"They showed a lot of patience out there and they were very calm and controlled. That's all you need to do, score off your own centre pass and score off the turnovers you get."

- NZPA