The Silver Ferns netball coach Noeline Taurua was pleased with her side's improvement in last night's loss to Australia but she still wants her side to show more fight.
Silver Ferns coach Noeline Taurua. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
The Ferns fell to a 56-47 loss in the first netball Test played in Townsville, giving the Diamonds a 2-0 lead in the four-match Constellation Cup series.
It was Australia's ninth straight win over New Zealand, who's midcourter Laura Langman made a record 146th appearance for the Silver Ferns.
She eclipsed the record previously held by former shooter Irene van Dyke.
Taurua says she's looking forward to game three and hopes her side can continue to close the gap.
"I thought it was an improved game, the first game we lost by 15 and I thought we were right in it better than we were on Sunday and so I'm looking forward to game three."
"I think it's an opportunity once again for us to get better and if we just keep chipping away at the strategies that we're doing, get a bit of fight out there on court I'll be very pleased."
Australia never trailed during the game but needed a burst of eight straight goals in the final quarter to defeat a plucky Silver Ferns side who mounted a number of fightbacks after the Diamonds scored the first six goals.
Silver Ferns centre Laura Langman. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
It took the visitors almost four minutes to hit the scoreboard.
Taurua says they must examine why they're going off the boil in crucial parts of the game.
"We've really got to look at those times as to what we're doing and what we're not doing and also the opposition as well."
Both coaches made changes to their starting seven from Sunday's opening match.
Lisa Alexander rejigged the Diamonds' midcourt, bringing in April Brandley at wing defence for Gabi Simpson, and Kelsey Brown at wing attack, with Liz Watson moving from that spot to centre in place of Kate Moloney.
Taurua switched Maria Folau from goal attack to goal shooter and brought in Te Paea Selby-Rickit for Aliyah Dunn and Samantha Sinclair at wing defence for Michaela Sokolich-Beatson.
Maria Folau. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Taurua says they were at times indecisive on offence and that needs to change.
"We're still sorting ourselves out, obviously I've only been in the job three weeks so it's about getting the strategies, about getting clarity in what we need to do out there, little things I think when it is critical need to decide to score it or get the pass off.
Captain Laura Langman says the Ferns are quickly recognising where they're going wrong.
"I was really pleased that we're recognising the moments and I think that's a really big step forward we really needed, like Noels said to do our job do it well, get the ball from A to B."
"I felt too we did run with them, which is great, now we just need to take that next step of punching through."
Game three is in Hamilton on Sunday with the last test in Wellington next Thursday.
