Netball: Silver Ferns wary of rivals' reinforced defence

Irene van Dyk

The Silver Ferns flew to Brisbane yesterday, curious about what defensive lineup Australia will use against them in the opening test.

New Zealand have made just two changes to the side that won the Commonwealth Games final. Australia have made four - the most significant being the return of defenders Liz Ellis and Mo'onia Gerrard.

Gerrard has been in outstanding form in Australia's Commonwealth Bank Trophy competition at goal and wing defence and Ellis continues her impressive comeback following knee surgery in November.

Silver Ferns assistant coach Leigh Gibbs was in Australia to watch Ellis play two weeks ago and was impressed with her speed and her general recovery.

"She is as tough and competitive as she ever was. With Australia coming off a defeat it is going to make her even more competitive."

Gibbs said it was hard to say if Ellis would start against New Zealand but from what she had seen "I would want to start with her".

Working out whether to expect Ellis to start is just one of the things the Silver Ferns have to consider when sizing up their opponent's defence.

If Ellis starts at goal keep, who will play at goal defence? Ellis' Sydney Swifts teammate Gerrard or Bianca Chatfield?

Towering youngster Susan Furhmann is also in the fray but it is hard to see the 19-year-old starting, though coach Norma Plummer has always wanted more height against Silver Fern shooter Irene van Dyk.

This could be her opportunity.

Gibbs says the beauty of the New Zealand team is that they are experienced enough to be able to discuss what their opposition might do and react to it without falling off their own game plan.

It will be interesting to know whether the Australians feel they have a better chance of silencing van Dyk, after a couple of defenders managed to rattle her during the National Bank Cup.

Ellis, Australia's co-captain, said she had studied videos of the matches but wasn't able to draw a lot from them. "I think she is the sort of athlete that will stand up and deliver in the big games.

"I noticed that she stood up and played well in the final. We had a look at what the Diamonds and the Flames did and they are probably not doing anything much different to what we have been doing.

"It probably just proves we are on the right track, we have just got to get better."

The Silver Ferns have two warm-up games before the first test. They will play the Queensland Firebirds tomorrow and the Australian under-21 side on Wednesday.


Silver Ferns v Australia

First test: Saturday, Brisbane 10pm (NZT)

Second test: Tuesday week, Sydney 10pm