Jamaica failed to get close to the Silver Ferns in the first netball test but New Zealand coach Janine Southby doesn't believe that means the series is a waste of time.
After trouncing Jamaica 72-34 on Sunday New Zealand is expected to go two nil up in the three match series in game two, in Palmerston North tonight.
It would hardly seem the best preparation for next month's Constellation Cup series against world champions Australia but Southby says any opportunity for the team to play together when its rebuilding and when test matches are few and far between, is worth taking.
Silver Ferns coach Janine Southby Photo: Photosport
"We just don't have a lot of game and we have got to make the most of the opportunities we get for a team that is building new connections and with new players in the group...and its also really important we get exposed to this style so that the girls can put it in their memory banks for when we come up against them (Jamaica) at the pinnacle tournaments," said Southby.
Can Jamaica test the Silver Ferns despite missing key players like goal shoot Romelda Aitken? Photo: Photosport
Even though they will again be without leading shooters Romelda Aitken and Jhaniele Fowler-Reid Southby's predicting a much tougher contest in Palmerston North.
"Jamaica will have learnt a lot from the other night and they will come out a lot more fired up. I know they have some very physically talented athletes and its hard to get the ball off them if they get those connections going.'
That said the Silver Ferns are expected to wrap up the three test series tonight, although a win alone won't suffice for Southby.
"We're obviously trying to build a lot of connections ...and we know to beat Australia it needs to be our whole squad that is performing and we need the whole 12 of them out there and to have to ability to go on at any time."