HEADING into the final game of the Taini Jamison Trophy series, the England Roses will be back with a vengeance once more after coming close in the second match just a few days ago. Still hoping to collect the first win against the New Zealand Silver Ferns, England will need to put out a strong effort across the court, limit the unforced errors and outclass the Ferns at their own game to get a win here, while New Zealand will want to maintain the same consistency that has handed them two straight wins so far. While the Ferns have already technically won the series, this final match will be a matter of pride for the Roses who will not want to leave New Zealand bowled out in straight sets. Instead of a normal preview, we will pit the two midcourt units against each other to compare the two sides and analyse what they need to do in order to get on top and assert their dominance.

ROSES MIDCOURT:

Laura Malcolm had an impressive outing in the second match against the Ferns and will want to back it up again here. While the midcourter is typically a wing defence she has played out majority of this series in wing attack and has proven that she has certainly got the skillset to consistently perform in that position. With plenty of speed and grit, Malcolm is a proven performer across all areas of the court able to seamlessly transition between attack and defence and consistently put in the hard yards to produce results. She plays very well with the likes of the formidable duo Jade Clarke and Serena Guthrie through the midcourt with the experienced defensive-minded centres able to be a real livewire and create exciting passages of play across the court. Guthrie’s aerial ability is second to none forcing errant passes with her hands over pressure and able to create something out of nothing to consistently help the defenders down back. While Guthrie went down with what looked like an ankle injury in the second match – her 100th test appearance – the Roses have plenty of talented names among the playing group with Imogen Allison, Amy Carter and Gabby Marshall both able to come on and have an impact where required. While Guthrie’s experienced head is critical, the youthful and challenging duo of Allison and Marshall can inject some much-needed run and a different approach to the centre court and zone game of the Ferns to switch up and propel ball into the goal circle. 

FERNS MIDCOURT:

Just like in both the attacking and defensive areas of the court the Ferns have no shortage of skill, tenacity and threatening ball-hunters through their midcourt. While still adjusting to no longer having Laura Langman in centre, the Ferns have a couple of handy options across the court with Shannon Saunders, Sam Winders and Claire Kersten able to consistently impact both on and off the ball with their defensive capabilities and closing speed. Karin Burger, is also one of the most versatile midcourt defenders around, able to consistently provide an option in both wing defence and goal defence with her long arms and impressive court coverage. Meanwhile, in attack there is a combination of both Whitney Souness and Gina Crampton able to rotate through with both players finding plenty of purchase on circle edge to consistently find goalers on the drive and set up excellent attacking players for their fellow midcourters. While the Ferns have a number of players who can fill midcourt bibs, they all offer different alternatives in each position with majority of the five players selected able to rotate through more than one position. This versatility has allowed the Ferns to continuously and creatively force their way through the Roses defence, with their more experienced heads able to work through issues in the fly and hunt for ball. 

COMPARISON:

While there is no doubt that either team lacks talent throughout the midcourt there is a bit of a question around the endurance of the England players compared to the Ferns. While New Zealand have been able to consistently get on court for majority of the year, the England Roses have been unable to regularly step out on court since the Vitality Netball Nations Cup back in January with the VNSL cancelled and this third match could be the real kicker for the Roses who could be fatiguing much faster than the Ferns. That being said, you cannot underestimate the England Roses, especially a side that is very young and very inexperienced when it comes to test caps. The England midcourt has nothing to lose, and with someone like Guthrie at the helm there is that go-get-it attitude that could be what helps the Roses get over the line in this third outing against the Ferns. Expect an enthralling contest between the two sides when they go head to head for the final time, and plenty more bodies hitting the ground with the physicality not waning across the first two matches.