Diamonds urged to get tough
NETBALL: Diamonds coach Lisa Alexander will demand a harder edge in tomorrow’s final quad series Test against New Zealand as the home team aims to assert its authority over the rebuilding Silver Ferns.
After wins over South Africa and England, the Diamonds can sew up their three-Test series with victory over NZ at Melbourne Arena to extend their winning streak over their arch rivals.
The Diamonds scored a thumping 21-goal win in their last meeting against their old foes, in the semi-final at the Commonwealth Games earlier this year, their sixth straight win over the Silver Ferns.
The Kiwis have entered a new era under new coach Noeline Taurua, but Alexander still considers them a threat and says her team needs to deliver a tougher performance than their effort against a physical England.
“We’re not taking this lightly at all. The Kiwis, they are full strength,’’ Alexander said.
“We know we need to improve from the other night as well … we need to make sure we take on the body.
“Whether we are going to use our screens or whether we are going to use that space, we need to make sure that we take the ball strongly.
“Particularly when we have got the New Zealand style of flying through for the intercepts, we have got to make sure we come in strongly on to the ball.’’
Alexander said the return of veteran and new Silver Ferns captain Laura Langman after a two-year hiatus from the national side would be a key focus for the Diamonds.
“We know that her energy and the leadership that she provides to the team gives them confidence so we know we have got to work to make sure we counteract that,’’ Alexander said.