Huge test awaits the Silver Ferns

Talk about jumping from the frying pan and into the fire.

The Silver Ferns will go from a Kiwi summer and no competitive matches to a test against threetime reigning world champions, Australia, in Durban next Sunday.

New Zealand train together as a squad in Auckland this Sunday before making the long trip to South Africa via Dubai, later that night.

They open the Quad Series against Australia, who beat them 4-1 in tests last year, and then travel to England for matches against the hosts [February 2] and South Africa [February 5].

The Silver Ferns finish their tour with two tests against Wales in Cardiff over February 7-8.

Coach Janine Southby said the 12-player squad had all met their strength and conditioning targets over the Christmas break.

That was music to her ears given several players in the past have reported to camp out of shape and paid the price, being dropped.

Southby acknowledged the opening match of the Quad Series presented its difficulties.

It’s been months since the players tossed a ball in a competitive game and the Silver Ferns haven’t spent any time together as a group in 2017.

‘‘You don’t want to ever make excuses, but it’s challenging. It’s not a typical lead in to a test series we’d have in the middle of our season.

‘‘You’ve got to be up for it whether it’s the start, middle or end of a series.’’

She said players had been working hard, training with their franchise teams and communicating with her via email and phone calls. They only had two days off during the festive period, carrying out their own individual programmes.

The Silver Ferns arrive in Durban on Monday afternoon [Tuesday NZ time] and have just four full days to shake off the jet lag and prepare for the massive challenge of Australia.

They play a warm-up match against the England under-21 team, who are in South Africa.

Travelling to South Africa for a one-off test is far from ideal, but that’s the format of the Quad Series and Southby said they had to deal with it.

Australia have rested several of their starters for the series, including shooting supremo Caitlin Bassett, the experienced Natalie Medhurst and midcourt dynamo Madi Robinson.

Even without three of their best players, Southby expected them to be a formidable test.

Depth has never been an issue for Australian netball and there is still a wealth of talent in their ranks, including Sharni Layton, Kim Ravaillion and Gretel Tippett.

With the Silver Ferns’ next pinnacle event, the Commonwealth Games, only 15 months away, Southby said the Quad Series was vital for developing connections and exposing uncapped players to the highest level.

Waikato-bay of Plenty Magic duo Kelly Jury and Sam Sinclair are both set to debut during the tournament.

‘‘We’d like to have more wins on the board, particularly against Australia,’’ Southby said when reflecting on her first year in the job.

‘‘I think the big area we’ve made some ground in the past six months is the ability to introduce younger players into the international environment. A couple of them have really stood up.’’

One of the biggest conundrums for Southby is at wing defence.

Laura Langman, New Zealand’s second most capped netballer with 141 tests, is ineligible because she is playing in Australia’s new league for the Sunshine Coast Lightning.

Kayla Cullen wasn’t considered for the Quad Series because of a foot issue, leaving a gaping hole at wing defence.

Southby said Sinclair, Anna Harrison and Jane Watson were possibilities in the position with skipper Katrina Grant also capable of slotting in there if needed.

‘‘All of a sudden wing defence has become a critical position in that there’s not a lot of depth through the country.

‘‘There’s a couple of players in the under-21s group we’re very interested in, but the primary focus for them is the Youth World Cup [in July].

*Australia have called in young shooter Kristina Brice to replace the injured Stephanie Wood in their squad.