SILVER Ferns coach Waimarama Taumaunu has put the heat on individuals to step up and do their jobs ahead of tonight's second Constellation Cup test in Melbourne.
Any hope of a series win has long deserted the New Zealand camp following a 17-goal capitulation to the polished Diamonds in last Thursday's opener in Invercargill. In a worrying indication of the competitive gulf between the Ferns and Australia, talk of winning a match in this series has been replaced with chatter about "closing the gap", "improving performances" and "restoring pride".
Taumaunu believes the only way for her side to do this is for the individual players to make a commitment to one other that they will each step up and perform their roles.
"We've become very focused on our individual tasks. We all recognise there are simple things that we can put right very quickly, and that's up to us to do," said Taumaunu.
"So from that perspective people are quite determined and quite confident they can adjust. Once we start making those changes then the snowball effect is that the result will be better."
There is little point in Taumaunu putting the players on notice. With the depth such that it is in New Zealand netball, any threats of being dropped from the team would be considered empty. Instead she must work with the individuals to improve their skill-set, tactical awareness and confidence.
But while squad changes are unlikely, Taumaunu has hinted some changes could be made to the line-up for tonight's game after shooter Bailey Mes and midcourter Grace Rasmussen appeared to make an impact following their introduction.
"I tend to be guided by evidence and I think the group that finished on Thursday night did very well, they are inexperienced but they showed they can cope with the intensity of a test match against Australia," said Taumaunu.
One of the key issues to emerge in the opening game was the breakdown in the Ferns' defensive links, particularly through the midcourt. The experienced New Zealand midcourt trio of Joline Henry, Laura Langman and Liana Leota were overrun by Australia's slick through-court attack, as they struggled to halt the Diamonds' speed and swift ball movement.
Henry said her performance in Invercargill caused her "a few sleepless nights", but also prompted some constructive conversations within the midcourt unit about how they can improve.
"It has stimulated a lot of discussion about what each other's views are on what our roles are in there and how we can make life tougher for the opposition," said Henry.
Henry admits the team were extremely dispirited after last Friday's defeat. But after addressing the key issues over the past couple of days, she said the mood in the camp has greatly improved.
"We don't want to sit around and dwell on that performance, we want to get out there again and show that we are a better side than that."NZ Herald