Diamonds target faster start against Ferns
Australian Diamonds netball coach Lisa Alexander has targeted a faster start for her side as she prepares to match wits with Silver Ferns counterpart Noeline Taurua for the first time.
Although they are unbeaten in the four nation tournament, Australia have started slowly before putting away South Africa and England.
Against South Africa, Australia conceded the first two goals and trailed on six occasions in the first half before the world champions assumed control.
It was a similar story against England, where the Diamonds trailed 4-1 inside the first three minutes and then by five later in the quarter.
'We've not been pleased with our first two games in terms of scratchiness and tentativeness," Alexander told AAP.
"We might be a little bit more specific about what we're going to start with, just so that we get that concentration level that we need and that intensity."
Australia have won their last six matches against the Silver Ferns and although they are expected to extend that winning sequence in Melbourne on Sunday, Alexander said there was no room for complacency.
They claim the Quad Series with a win but if they lose and England beat South Africa, the Diamonds, Roses and Silver Ferns will all have a 2-1 record.
Alexander was looking forward to finally coaching against Taurua, given the pair considered two of the sport's most successful current mentors.
The Australian won two domestic titles with Melbourne Phoenix before steering the Diamonds to Commonwealth Games gold and silver medals in 2014 and 2018.
She was also in charge of the successful 2015 World Cup campaign.
Taurua takes her opportunity at international level after guiding Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic to the 2012 trans-Tasman title before crossing the Tasman to lead the Sunshine Coast Lightning to back-to-back Super Netball championships.
Alexander said she had watched New Zealand's first two games under Taurua, a 13-goal loss to England followed by a 24-goal win over South Africa, closely.
"There's probably a little bit more one-on-one accountability and closing off those spaces, but we'll still expect some wall and zone at different times," Alexander said.
"She hasn't had a lot of time with the group, so she'll keep things pretty simple."
Alexander has made one change to her squad after shooter Stephanie Wood was ruled out of the Test due to a leg injury that limited her contribution to the win over England.
Melbourne-based shooter Tegan Philip has joined the squad to replace Wood, who is expected to be fit for the first Constellation Cup clash with the Silver Ferns in Brisbane on October 7.
