The Silver Ferns have lit the fuse for a potentially explosive final trans-Tasman netball clash on Sunday by shining the spotlight on Australian roughhouse tactics.
Ferns coach Ruth Aitken has called for the umpires to clamp down on Australia's ultra-physical approach against her star shooter, Irene van Dyk.
Van Dyk was in signature form against the Diamonds in New Zealand's 46-41 comeback win in Melbourne last weekend despite being the centre of heavy attention.
Aitken expects the Diamonds will target her star shooter even more in Brisbane as they attempt to square the four-match series.
Aitken says that's probably why umpires actually allow a lot more to happen to her because she just copes with it, she doesn't fall all over the place unless she's really hurt.
She says she'd like to think the umpires examine it a bit more, whether it's a genuine attempt to go for the ball or just knock her over.
The Australian camp laughed off the claims.
Veteran Silver Ferns skipper Julie Seymour has joined her team in Brisbane but is rated less than likely to return from an Achilles injury.
