Silver Ferns coach Noeline Taurua knows who her starting seven will be with strategy for Saturday shifting to combat England.
Silver Ferns coach Noeline Taurua Photo: Photosport Ltd 2018 www.photosport.nz
Team combinations will now take a back seat as Silver Ferns coach Noeline Taurua's grand plan moves into 'competition phase' looking to counter England on Saturday afternoon at Auckland's Spark Arena.
With only five days to prepare the Silver Ferns for the international season Taurua's experience in working with the Australian Diamonds has already taken effect.
In an initiative used across the ditch, the team voted Laura Langman as captain and Katrina Grant as vice-captain - a feat Langman says she never saw coming.
"Really humbling being endorsed by your fellow teammates it's really special and probably a bit of a shock.
"Unfortunately I do talk the loudest most the time but we do have a number of players that are fantastic and have done an outstanding job in the role," Langman said.
With only half of the players selected from the disastrous Gold Coast Commonwealth Games campaign in April, Katrina Grant has reiterated that she's simply happy being part of the team.
Katrina Grant named as Silver Ferns vice-captain Photo: Photosport Ltd 2018 www.photosport.nz
A major focus point for the group has been communication and with Langman once serving as Katrina Grants vice-captain, Taurua said it was important to speak to Grant in wake of the decision.
"With me coming in fresh and not really knowing some of these players I obviously have a background with Laura.
"There are the people who have done the business before we've come but I like the system that we've done, said Taurua.
England captain Ama Agbeze knows that her side has a target firmly set on their backs after winning gold at the recent Commonwealth Games but she admitted England are very aware of what Taurua will be injecting into the Silver Ferns.
"She looks at people outside of netball not just what they're doing on court so I think she'll bring balance and the players will know what she wants from them," says Agbeze
"They've got a new leadership group so the players will respect what's happening."
The five day camp has already experienced it first casualty with defender Temalisi Fakahokotau ruled out after rupturing her ACL, she has immediately been replaced by New Zealand U21 captain Michaela Sokolich-Beatson.
With just over 24 hours until they face England, Taurua is wasting no time in deciding who will take to the court on Saturday afternoon.
"Looking at all of our routines, our strategy and what that's going to be and just getting out on court - I pretty much know who the starting seven will be.
"It's just seeing what the strengths and weaknesses are of that starting seven," Taurua said.
The Silver Ferns voyage into a new era passes off tomorrow at 4.30pm against the England Roses following the Australian Diamonds against the South African Proteas.