Just ask Silver Ferns goal attack Maria Tutaia, who -- even by her own account -- had a bad day at the office last Wednesday in Christchurch when New Zealand downed Jamaica 58-35 in the first of two tests leading into the Commonwealth Games in October.
While acknowledging a sub-standard effort three days ago, Tutaia is confident of a vastly improved effort in tonight's second test at Napier's Pettigrew Green Arena.
The margin of Wednesday's win could not disguise some significant shortcomings in the Silver Ferns' game, although -- given a heavy work load and the focus on the New Delhi Games -- coach Ruth Aitken was not about to push the panic button.
She did make the valid point that when things go wrong on a netball court, the shooters are an obvious scapegoat.
"It's always a challenge being a shooter," she told NZPA yesterday. "You come under a lot more scrutiny than other areas of the court -- that goes with the territory.
"It's a lot easier to be ordinary somewhere else and just blend in."
Tutaia worked hard on Wednesday, although her shooting was less than spectacular at 71 percent.
The important thing, Aitken emphasised, lay in how Tutaia responded when the two teams meet again in Napier today.
"She was disappointed in the game, and we've talked about that. She's really keen to get out there and address the wrongs.
"Bad games come and go, it's just about how you pick yourself up afterward that's important."
Tutaia herself, with 42 caps for New Zealand at just 23 years of age, was philosophical about her first test performance, preferring instead to concentrate on putting right the wrongs tonight.
Asked what areas needed improvement, she laughed.
"I could name a whole list! Firstly, sussing my shot out, that was a huge low for me. I also need to be confident and drive hard into the ball.
"Then it's about being able to lose my defender, and just turn and shoot, because that's when I play my best, when I just turn and slot them in."
Aitken had no concerns that her No 1 goal attack would be able to produce the goods tonight.
"She's a very calm player, and she is confident. You work with her looking at the positive, looking at tweaking her game.
"She's got good basic knowledge and skills, she just needs to relax and put it out there."
