KEY POINTS:
Silver Ferns captain Julie Seymour has found one unexpected bonus from the achilles tendon injury which has almost certainly ruled her out of the upcoming two-test tour against Australia.
The 37-year-old midcourter, who first played for New Zealand in 1994, was forced to sit on the sidelines for
the Silver Ferns' deciding third test against England last Saturday in Palmerston North.
She did not enjoy the experience.
"It was so hard watching, even though they did so well. I wanted to be part of it - it made me think `gee, I want to play netball for ever' because I really hate sitting on the sidelines," she told NZPA.
After a 39-goal first-test victory against England on October 13, the Silver Ferns lost the second test in Dunedin two days 40-38 later before rebounding last Saturday to a comprehensive 61-22 win.
Seymour was a late withdrawal from the playing seven after she tweaked the troublesome achilles on the morning of the final test. Five days later, already a non-starter for the first test in Melbourne on Sunday and doubtful for the second a week later in Brisbane, she admitted the injury had been slow to improve.
"It's not flash - probably the chances of playing in the second test are slim, but I guess it's nice to have that window still open just in case miracles happen," she said.
`It's got a little tear, and by all accounts they don't heal really quickly."
Even if she doesn't take the court, Seymour's vast international experience should prove invaluable as the Silver Ferns look to build on the momentum from their third-test win over England.
"Consistency has got to be the keyword. Honestly, we've all learned heaps about everything, especially preparation and attitude, after that first test.
"We didn't mean to be complacent and we certainly weren't outwardly, but everyone being five or 10 percent off their game can all add up to quite a lot."
Seymour said the Silver Ferns were only too well aware that the Australians would severely punish any sub-standard effort over the next two tests: "We know the Australians never lay down and die.".
Australia and the Silver Ferns finished all square in the New Zealand leg of their tour last month, the Australians winning the first test 53-51 while New Zealand took the second 38-31.
"We've been using the word urgency right from the start, and that's what we lacked in Dunedin. Everyone was thinking `Oh we'll come right, we'll win, it'll happen' and we weren't urgent enough right from the start.
"Those kind of mistakes that happened in the first quarter are just as vital as the ones that happened in the last quarter."
It was important to be able to quickly recognise changes in the game and adjust patterns of play accordingly, Seymour said.
"Netball is a game of flow and rhythm, and confidence to let the ball go. If things aren't going well, and you hold onto the ball a bit too long then the person you were going to pass to is all out of position, and that goes on down the court.
"We talk about timing a lot. When you're playing well and things are working, you've got that nice timing and it all just clicks."
As well as Seymour's injury, the Silver Ferns are without defender Leana de Bruin, who is unavailable for personal reasons. Liana Barrett-Chase, called into the squad last Saturday, is joined by Southern Steel midcourter Wendy Telfer for the Australian trip.
With the Australians also missing some key players, Seymour said the next week presented the ideal chance to regain some lost ascendancy.
"It's a great opportunity to really stamp our authority and get that world No 1 spot back that we lost."
Australian shooter Catherine Cox has been ruled out of the two tests with an ankle injury she suffered when the Diamonds toured New Zealand last month.
First-choice captain and goal attack Sharelle McMahon has also missed the entire international campaign due to knee surgery.
Cox said she wasn't sure what to expect from New Zealand after the England series.
"I don't know that I have witnessed anything like that, obviously they (New Zealand) are beatable," Cox said earlier this week.
"We know that, we've done it this year, but the last game they played was obviously a good one and they've got some good form heading into the series against us."
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