Netball: Silver Ferns dropped the ball off the court in last year's Constellation Cup

Silver Ferns coach Janine Southby said her side have paid particular attention to their off-court processes in the lead-up to this year's Constellation Cup. Photo/PHOTOSPORT.

Silver Ferns coach Janine Southby admits her side let themselves down with their off-court preparation in last year's Constellation Cup.

The New Zealand team have resolved to ensure fatigue will not be a factor this year as they prepare for a gruelling series in which they will take on Australia four times in 10 days.

The Ferns held a three-day camp in Wellington early last week before reassembling in Auckland yesterday ahead of Thursday night's opener at Spark Arena.

Southby said the camp focused as much on their off-court systems as it did on-court work.

"It was about building an awareness among the whole group about the intensity on and off the court of what Constellation Cup means to us this year given there is pretty much four tests in 10 days with travel in New Zealand and Australia in between all that," said Southby.

"There's not a lot of turnaround time so we need to make sure the players are prepared for what is going to be required on and off court."

Faced with a similarly tough schedule in last season's contest, which the Diamonds won 3-1 to maintain their virtual stranglehold on the transtasman trophy, Southby believes her side struggled to maintain their energy levels across the series.

"We certainly know we let ourselves down and I think we were guilty of doing the same things and expecting to get different results, and we're very aware we have to stay focused and make sure we're doing what we should be," she said.

But whereas last year the Ferns' were forced to manage several injuries in the squad, including star shooter Maria Tutaia and now-retired defender Anna Harrison, Southby said this time they have no injury concerns heading into the series.

The player set to be tested the most by the schedule is versatile midcourter Kayla Cullen, who is still getting her match fitness and court confidence back after minor knee surgery in the off-season.

Cullen, who has not played Australia since 2015, said she has learned through bitter experience that attention to detail is crucial.

"We've talked through strategies to keep everyone fresh and making sure we're not getting to that point where we're feeling overloaded. And personally it's about making sure I'm eating well, sleeping well, staying hydrated and doing what I need to with my recovery," she said.

"I seem to have a developed a bit of a habit of my body falling apart at the most crucial times, so hopefully that's not the case any more."

After an eight-week lay-off, Cullen returned to the court in last month's Taini Jamison series against England and is hoping to build on her performances against the Diamonds.

Having played primarily at wing defence at international level, there is a chance we may see Cullen at goal defence in this series with Southby concerned about a lack of cover in the position.

Cullen said she is excited about the possibility of returning to the position she first made a name for herself in, but her key focus is getting her groove back at WD.

"Test matches against Australia are always exciting, they're the ultimate, but having not played them for a while just make me even more excited about this opportunity," she said.

"I just want to get out there and play."

Constellation Cup
Silver Ferns v Australia
Test 1: 7.45pm October 5, Spark Arena, Auckland
Test 2: 2.15pm October 8, Horncastle Arena, Christchurch
Test 3: 9.30pm October 11, Titanium Security Arena, Adelaide
Test 4: 5.00pm October 14, Qudos Bank Arena, Sydney