Sports Call - In the race to outdo each other, the Australian Diamonds are one step ahead of the Silver Ferns and it's been that way for a while.
Just when you think the Silver Ferns might have caught up with Australia, their arch-rivals take another step forward.
Te Paea Selby-Rickit of the Silver Ferns and Courtney Bruce of the Diamonds fight for the ball during the Constellation Cup 2017. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
On a high after beating the Diamonds by 10 goals in the Quad Series last month, instead of consolidating, the Ferns bombed and the Diamonds soared with a clean-sweep of the Constellation Cup series.
It's been some time now since clashes between New Zealand and Australia came down to the wire regularly.
The Silver Ferns have got a lot to think about before next April's Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast, where the hosts have gained a huge psychological edge.
Problem areas
Captain Katrina Grant was better in the latter stages of the series but the goal defence position does pose some issues.
Grant tends to match up better against taller more aerial goal attacks, rather than the crafty, low-to-the-ground type players that Australia seem to specialise in, in that position.
On too many occasions she gets wrong-footed. The other problem is she doesn't have a clear back-up, if Kayla Cullen stays at wing defence.
It would be a big call but New Zealand under-21 captain Michaela Sokolich-Beatson would be a prime candidate. She demonstrated explosive speed for the Mystics this year and one of her strengths is coming around the body for a front intercept.
Trying to fill the hole Laura Langman left at centre is an unenviable task. Unfortunately Shannon Francois didn't have a great series, lacking punch on attack and struggling to be available for her shooters. It didn't help that players as experienced as Maria Tutaia delivered some shocking passes her way.
It's a great shame Whitney Souness wasn't able to travel to the Australian leg for personal reasons. The whole point of picking Souness was so Southby could get another look at the young mid-courter. She didn't get any court time in the first two matches, so Southby is none the wiser. The Ferns coach might have to put Souness in the '2019' basket.
You would have to think the New Zealand coaching unit will be tempted to bring Grace Rasmussen back into Quad series mix early next year, the last chance New Zealand will get to play Australia before the Commonwealth Games.
The New Zealand mid-court and attacking end lacked cohesion and experience.
Gina Crampton is a handy wing attack but she tends to go at one speed, fast. Yes speed is important in that position, but so is variety and controlling the tempo of the game, which are Rasmussen's strengths.
Positives
Rookie Samantha Sinclair just had a handful of Test caps before the Constellation Cup series, yet she looked like one of the calmer players on the court.
Southby needs to get someone else up to speed in the centre position, and it should be Sinclair. She provides drive on attack, is tenacious on defence, and most importantly she doesn't back down against the Diamonds.
Even the Australian commentators were impressed with the grit shown by the Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic midcourter.
Temalisi Fakahokotau provided some exhilarating moments. She gave Australian goal shoot Caitlin Bassett plenty to think about. And despite giving away 11cm to the Diamonds sharpshooter, was able to pick off some high ball in one on one situations.
Caitlin Bassett competes against Temalisi Fakahokotau Photo: Photosport
Quick studies
Just when it looks like the Ferns have taken the Diamonds by surprise, and got them spinning, sometimes it's a matter of mere minutes before they adjust.
When the Silver Ferns beat Australia in their Quad series victory in Invercargill last month, they took advantage of a very inexperienced defensive combination of Courtney Bruce and April Brandley. Missing big name players like Laura Geitz and Sharni Layton seemed to knock the wind out of their sails.
But the Diamonds went back to Australia, analysed the footage, crunched the numbers, and a month later Bruce and Brandley were like a new-look outfit.
Another case in point; in the third Constellation Cup Test, the Ferns stunned Australia after trailing by 11 at half-time, winning the third quarter 15-8.
That came on the back of a raft of changes, including the benching of Tutaia.
The Australians struggled with the Bailey Mes/Te Paea Selby-Rickit shooting combo and were completely outplayed.
But in the final period, the Diamonds, after some quick coaching at the break, were back out to a double-digits lead just like that.
The depth factor
Three Silver Ferns - Maia Wilson, Kelly Jury, and Monica Falkner, were members of this year's Netball World Youth Cup team.
Eight of the 12 New Zealand players at the World Cup in Botswana were full time members of ANZ premiership teams, while the other four had already got some court-time.
Compare that to the Australian side - seven were members of their Super Netball domestic competition, none were Diamonds.
What that tells you is the players have to work exceptionally hard to fight their way into the Australian side, so they are hardened by the time they get on court.
There is another layer of competition to graduate from in Australia before reaching the very top and that helps explain why a rookie like Courtney Bruce has imposed herself so quickly.
