When New Zealand kicked off their international season late last month with three matches against a combined World 7 team, coach Ruth Aitken emphasised that she was looking to develop players and combinations as a long-term investment. Next year's Commonwealth Games and the 2011 world championships in Singapore were the ultimate goal.
The returns have been patchy, with the Silver Ferns managing two wins from five starts -- one over the World 7 after two earlier losses and an impressive first-up effort against Australia in Sydney two weeks ago.
The two following tests resulted in wins to Australia -- 48-44 in Melbourne and 36-33 in Brisbane last Sunday.
Aitken has managed to give most of her 12-strong squad court time, but the unfamiliarity between combinations has been obvious. On occasion the Silver Ferns have shown a glimpse of their potential, but consistency has been lacking.
Aitken admitted that it had been "challenging" keeping an eye on the big picture while the results hadn't been coming.
"We certainly felt we had the ability to make changes and still progress well, but we've had some hiccups, there's no doubt about it," she told NZPA.
"I think probably the reality is these two games will be about trying to do the best we can to win, and the big picture will come back in after that.
"Whether that means that changes are best to be made, we'll just have to see."
Aitken and assistant coach Waimarama Taumaunu have been stymied somewhat by a calf injury to midcourter Liana Barrett-Chase in the first test against Australia, just as her combination with the returning Temepara George appeared to be gaining traction.
Although Barrett-Chase is back running, she won't feature in the two upcoming tests. Aitken has instead called up experienced defender Sheryl Scanlan, who missed selection as she battled to recover from a mid-season calf strain.
Southern Steel utility Wendy Telfer has also joined the squad, while midcourter Maree Bowden has been dropped.
Aitken was quite clear where the Silver Ferns needed to step up after last Sunday's three-goal loss, when the Australians sunk 36 from 45 attempts for an 80 percent success rate while New Zealand's normally steady shooters could manage only 33 from 50 for a less than impressive 66 percent.
"There's no doubt that the defence stepped up on the weekend and the attack didn't. It's very unusual for us to have more shots on goal than them -- we like to think of the forward court saving the day and it didn't," she said.
"That's the challenge for the players, and they've certainly taken that responsibility on."
