Striking Australia early not bad thing – Tutaia

Australia on August 9 looms as a can’t-lose clash for the Silver Ferns.

Having summarily dismissed Fiji and South Africa in the last week, attention now turns to the World Cup. Barbados on August 7, then Trinidad and Tobago a day later, represent a comfortable way for New Zealand to start their campaign.

Traditionally the Silver Ferns don’t strike Australia until the last day of these events. Not this time.

For New Zealand, there seems little riding on August 9’s result. Everyone expects them to lose and they’ll end up in the knockout rounds regardless of the outcome.

Should they win, though, or at least make the game a contest, then Australia will suddenly have something to worry about.

But put all that to Silver Ferns shooter Maria Tutaia and you get an insight into the pressure some of the team feel they’re under. Evidently, being unfancied and unloved, particularly at the shooting end, stings a little.

‘‘Look, I’m not really fussed about what people say. We’ve had everything thrown at us since the team was named,’’ Tutaia said on Wednesday.

‘‘I’m really excited and really happy, actually, that we get a chance to play Australia in the pool play and to get a feel of where we’re at, where they’re at, how far off we are, how close.

‘‘If we have to encounter them again then we’ll know exactly what we’re dealing with, regardless of whether people are writing us off or not.’’

Much will depend on Tutaia’s form. Having sat Sunday’s first test against South Africa out, with an ankle injury, the goal attack was in sublime touch during Tuesday night’s 67-28 victory.

She shot 15/18 in her half of action, many from long range. Tutaia’s playmaking was impressive too, which was no mean feat given the personnel New Zealand now have at goal shoot.

Gone are Tutaia’s longtime partners Cathrine Latu and Irene van Dyk, which has meant making significant changes in her own game to accommodate Bailey Mes and Malia Paseka.

‘‘I have to be honest ... look, it’s a great challenge [and] something I’m not really used to. I’m normally the one who has other shooters having to adapt to how I play,’’ said Tutaia.

‘‘But, in a World Cup environment, we’ve got no time. That’s not the luxury we have, as opposed to other teams who’ve been together a long time and know their shooters inside out.

‘‘There’s no point moaning about not having enough time. Time aint on our side so we have to make the most of what we have.’’

The Silver Ferns fly to Sydney on Monday.