Netball: Raw recruits may get big-court time

With the series against England already won, the question heading into tonight's final test at Invercargill is how much Silver Ferns coach Ruth Aitken will tinker with her lineup.

Going into the series, Aitken said she hoped to get as many players on court as possible to build combinations for next year's gruelling Commonwealth Games tournament.

Ten of the 12 players have played in the first two tests, which New Zealand comfortably won, 52-30 and 74-30. Only Waikato defender Casey Williams and Auckland shooter Maria Tutaia have yet to get on court.

It is difficult to say whether they will. Both were called into the side as late replacements and neither has a lot of experience.

Williams has at least played in one National Bank Cup season, but Tutaia has yet to compete in New Zealand's premier competition.

Both were key members in the New Zealand under-21 side's successful tour of Jamaica and the United States, but expecting them to step up into the international arena at such late notice is a big ask, even against an ordinary England side.

However, it is an opportunity for Aitken to see if they can make the step up.

For Williams, getting on court means she will have to push past Vilimaina Davu, Sheryl Scanlan, Anna Scarlett and Joline Henry.

Tutaia possibly stands a better chance because of the Ferns' well-documented lack of shooting depth.

But Aitken is a firm believer that caps are earned, not given, and considering that the Irene van Dyk-Jodi Te Huna combination is really only in its early stages, she may be tempted to use the final test to ensure it is running smoothly.

Waikato defender Henry has also been training at goal attack, so Aitken may be tempted to see how she goes.

Although happy with her side's demolition of England in the second test, Aitken would like to see a good finish tonight.

"We feel that our second phase of our centre pass off still needs a little bit of sharpening.

"On defence, I would like to see us get some ball further up the court."

The already depleted England side are likely to be without midcourter Clare Elsley, who injured her ankle in the second test. Captain Olivia Murphy, who sat out the second test, is expected back.

Coach Marg Caldow probably has a long wishlist of improvements, but reducing their error rate and infringements and tightening through-court defence are crucial.

"We want to build on perhaps the first test," she said. "We have forgotten about the second one."

THIRD TEST

Invercargill, tonight 7.45, live on TV One.

NEW ZEALAND Irene van Dyk, Jodi Te Huna, Maria Tutaia, Adine Wilson, Temepara George, Laura Langman, Victoria Edward, Joline Henry, Sheryl Scanlan, Casey Williams, Vilimaina Davu, Anna Scarlett.

ENGLAND Rachel Greig, Ama Agbeze, Tamsin Greenway, Rachel Dunn, Clare Elsley, Karen Aspinall, Olivia Murphy, Chioma Ezeogu, Ruth Cockerill, Naomi Siddell, Rebecca Douglass, Geva Mentor, Sonia Mkoloma.