Netball: Flair key in style clash

One element of Australian play Temepara George wants to co-opt is mental tenacity. Photo / Getty Images

New Silver Ferns vice-captain Temepara George says the Australian style and game is a model that should be admired but never copied.

With their slick passing and low percentage play, the Diamonds have enjoyed a clear edge in recent years, but George feels that adopting the Australian approach would be a step backwards for the Ferns.

"They don't do any flashy stuff. They do the basics and they do them very well. It is repetitive for them and that is why they are so good at it," she said. "I think it is important that we don't want to be like the Australians, we still keep our New Zealand style and we just perfect it really. We have definitely got the function, but we have the flair in there as well."

However, on the eve of the 2010 season, the 33-year-old veteran centre happily admits there is one trait that has been absorbed over the years of transtasman battle.

"They never say die, they always come back," she says of those in green and gold. "When they lose one, they just see it as an opportunity to come back and win the 'right ones', as they say."

The Ferns' mental tenacity has been criticised after being on the wrong end of many tight scorelines.

Think of those heartbreakers at the 1991 (one goal), 1999 (one goal) and 2007 (four goals) world championships and Commonwealth Games losses of 1998 (three goals) and 2002 (one goal).

Statistics show Australia has won almost 75 per cent of matches when the margin has been five goals or less. George is adamant those days are gone.

"You have got to go through the disappointments to appreciate the win and want the win even more. I think we have had enough of that in the past and we are heading in the right direction.

"They are mentally strong, but I think New Zealand is coming closer to them - if not on even par."

George has pulled on the black skirt on 70 occasions, but says she will be as nervous as anyone when they line up next week against Samoa.

"When we walk out, as a team my butterflies start going," she admitted. "If I don't have those then I know that there is something wrong. They are good butterflies, good nerves and positive ones. If they weren't there, I would put them inside me."