Netball: Magic's fine form sends message to selectors

The Magic's compelling win over the Sting in the National Bank Cup final has given Silver Fern coaches Ruth Aitken and Leigh Gibbs plenty to think about ahead of the one-off test against Australia in 16 days' time.

The Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic outclassed the six-time defending champions in all areas of the court winning 65-39 to become the first North Island team to win the title in the competition's eight-year history.

"I think it was a magnificent display from the Magic from start to finish," Gibbs said.

"All seven on court rose to the challenge and played fantastic netball.

"They really pulled out all the tricks and demonstrated a huge range of skills and teamwork.

"Even though the score was one sided it was a fantastic standard."

The Magic team includes five Silver Ferns - Irene van Dyk, Laura Langman, Joline Henry, Casey Williams and Anna Senio.

Whether their slick performance in the final will be enough to secure them places in the Silver Ferns starting lineup for the match against Australia on June 29, Gibbs said it was too early to say.

"I think they played brilliantly and wouldn't like to say they couldn't do that against an Australian side, but the test arena is a huge step up.

"We are really pleased with the way they have performed and we are really excited by the combination choices we have going into this test match."

Two players who didn't do their chances of Silver Fern selection any harm were spirited midcourter Laura Langman and defender Casey Williams, who was voted the most valuable player of the final. Williams had some good performances last season, but this year she has taken her game up another level.

"I like her ability to read the game. She has that innate sense of knowing when to go for an inception and the timing on to the inception is spectacular," Gibbs said.

"She gets the ball cleanly without a lot of involvement from the players around her. That is a gift."

But competition for defensive positions is tight with Canterbury's Vilimaina Davu, Otago's Anna Scarlett and Henry all vying for court time.

"We won't have a lot of time for this one-off game so whatever combination we use will be one that will have to come together quickly," Gibbs said.

"That may not be so much in Casey's [Williams] favour but maybe it could work. I wouldn't like to say she has got a chance or she hasn't got a chance until we see how players come in and we see which combinations are going to gel the quickest."

Langman has played at centre for the Magic but was used at wing defence for New Zealand during their series against England in March.

"The neat thing about Laura is that she has that ability to play both and we'll be looking at her with those positions in mind, but knowing we have to put a combination out on court that will cope and has experience.

"There are some difficult choices for Ruth [Aitken] and I, but that is good."

The Silver Ferns leave for Australia early next week.