Beaten 58-35 by New Zealand in the first of two tests, the Sunshine Girls were competitive enough early on, trailing 10-11 after 15 minutes. But the New Zealanders battled back, led 29-21 at halftime then eased away to seal a win which owed as much to Jamaica's meek capitulation as it did to their own patchy efforts.
Francis stalked into the post-match media conference, with captain Nadine Bryan and defender Georgia Gordon trailing reluctantly behind.
Bryan's performance particularly irked her coach, who before the game had called for her team to play with more pride as they build towards taking on Australia and defending champions New Zealand at the New Delhi Commonwealth Games in October this year.
"This is a let down where my veteran players are concerned," Francis said. "These girls must be more hungry to make our team, because some of them who think they'll make it, they won't make it. I'm speaking right now for my captain."
Bryan has represented Jamaica since 1997, and has close on 100 caps for her country, but was peculiarly absent in last night's game, despite being on court for the full 60 minutes.
Already missing two key players in goal attack Simone Forbes and defender Althea Byfield, the Jamaicans really needed Bryan to lead by example, but she did not.
"I think we let ourselves down badly," Francis said. "We let ourselves down through our court play. We went back to dancing in one position instead of driving for the ball.
"I thought we didn't support each other as we ought to, and we lacked voices on the court. We needed somebody to actually speak."
Bryan herself had no argument with her coach's assessment.
"For me, it just toughens me up a bit more. I'm used to it -- there are days when I'm going to have bad games, and she has to tell me I did not step up to the plate.
"I can live with it, I'm fine with that."
Bryan is well aware she will need to make amends when the two teams meet again in Napier on Saturday.
"I'll have to dig deeper, sort out certain things coming up to the next game -- a bit more leg work, more driving to the ball and supporting the attack a bit more often."
Lanky Jamaican goal shoot Romelda Aitken also earned Francis' ire, as she struggles to revert to the Jamaican game after a season of trans-Tasman netball league for Queensland Firebirds.
"I was quite disappointed with Romelda, because I think she's better than what she's doing out there, she's far better than that."
Francis did point out that there were positives to take from the game -- the performance of young goal attack Anna Kaye Griffith, wing attack Sasher-Gaye Henry's efforts in an unaccustomed position, and Gordon's solid return to international netball at the age of 35.
But generally, the feeling of disappointment overrode anything.
"I think we let ourselves down badly... we lacked the self-confidence to say 'we can compete with this team'.
"We just have to believe in ourselves, and go out there and play the game," Francis said.
"Especially," she added, "my captain."
