Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

Silver Ferns coach will consider using novel defensive tactic

Updated at 2:07 pm on 22 May 2012

The Silver Ferns coach Wai Taumaunu says she'll consider using the novel lifting defensive style employed by the Northern Mystics in their trans-Tasman netball win over the Melbourne Vixens.

The technique borrows from rugby's lineout and was most successful for Silver Fern defender Anna Harrison.

Taumanu says Harrison, nee Scarlett, is the ideal person for the tactic as she has a strong vertical leap but it's a play that's difficult to perfect.

Taumaunu says the tactic's not new and she was aware the Northern Mystics had been practising the technique.

But she says teams also need to be careful when they use it, as with two players involved it means an opposition shooter is unmarked.

Taumaunu won't have the chance to work on the move with the Silver Ferns until August, when they have a training camp ahead of tests against Australia.

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