Netball coach wants win against NZ - Sports News - Fanatics - the world's biggest events

Netball coach wants win against NZ

By Adrian Warren 08/10/2006 08:58:08 PM Comments (0)

National netball coach Norma Plummer is more concerned with winning than experimenting heading into this month's three Test series against New Zealand, with Australia looking to post successive victories against the world champion for the first time in four years.

Australia headed to New Zealand on Sunday for its matches against the Silver Ferns in Wellington on October 12, in Auckland on October 14, and in Christchurch on October 16.

While New Zealand has won nine of the last 12 trans-Tasman clashes, Australia triumphed 48-38 in their most recent encounter in Sydney back in July.

This month's series represents the final times the two netball super powers will play before the World Championship in Fiji next July.

Plummer called up teenage defender Julie Prendergast for her first senior national selection and recalled versatile midcourt player Natasha Chokljat in the only changes to the squad from the last clash with New Zealand.

However, Plummer emphasised she placed a higher premium on beating the Silver Ferns than tinkering with her combinations and wanted to consolidate on the last start victory over Silver Ferns.

"We're going over there for the win, we've got plenty of time to trial," Plummer said.

"We've got plenty of time to mould other players in.

"We need to get the wins on the board and we know it's not going to be easy and that New Zealand would have looked at their last performance."

Captain and defender Liz Ellis expected New Zealand would be fired up by the loss in Sydney, but predicted both teams would be "pumped" for the coming three match series.

"We've got a game plan we think will work, it's not particularly complicated, it's about controlling the ball when you've got it and fighting for it when you haven't and if we can do that consistently then I think we should be able to win," Ellis said.

Ellis doubted a series win would give Australia a big psychological edge heading into the World Championship, but felt it would be "a massive boost in confidence" for Australia.

The veteran goalkeeper was hoping for a less traumatic visit to New Zealand than her past two, when she was injured on each occasion.

She suffered concussion in 2004 and required a knee reconstruction last year.

"I've got relatives over there and every game they come to, I injury myself and get carted off, so they are thinking of not coming to games," joked Ellis.

Ellis has regained outright leadership on the team after sharing captaincy duties with shooter Sharelle McMahon for the last New Zealand series.

"It was disappointing in a way, but I had a great experience with the girls at the Commonwealth Games," McMahon said about losing the captaincy.

"But it's fantastic to have Liz back in the team and she has made a brilliant recovery from her knee injury.

Ellis and McMahon are among just a handful of current squad members who played the last time Australia won in New Zealand five years ago.

Australia has lost their last four Tests in New Zealand and hasn't registered successive victories over the Silver Ferns since 2001-02.

Plummer said Australia would play three Tests in Fiji next February and hoped to host a couple of matches against Jamaica in March, with the possibility of a tri-series in England in May, which could also involve Jamaica.

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