Australian netball coach Norma Plummer has queried the Silver Ferns' shooting depth after her reconnaissance mission last weekend.
Plummer, who watched the National Bank Cup semifinals, was impressed by the Magic's Irene van Dyk with the shooter leading her side to victory over the Sting on Friday.
Plummer also watched
the Force defeat the Flames by three goals in yesterday's other semifinal.
But Plummer said New Zealand's shooting stocks were looking thin with injured goal attack Jodi Te Huna unavailable for the two-test series in Australia next month, the Herald Sun reported today.
"She shot 43 out of 44 (attempts), so she's back up there," said Plummer of van Dyk's performance in steering defending champions Magic to another final berth.
"It will be very interesting to see who (coach) Ruth Aitken picks as the fourth shooter," Plummer said.
"They could have a problem there as no one wants to go to the post.
"Te Huna is not ready and (Belinda) Colling has not been standing up ... if they lose van Dyk they could have major problems."
Plummer said Australia's five-goal loss to New Zealand in the Commonwealth Games final would spur her team in the test series, starting in Brisbane on July 22.
"We had our chances in that game," she said.
"Players have to be more mature in what they are doing... basic mistakes will kill us. They realise they had their opportunities but kept letting New Zealand back in the door."
- NZPA
