Australia ready for first battle against the Silver Ferns

National coach, Norma Plummer says Australia has one aim on tour – to win – and they’re ready to challenge the World champions, New Zealand in the Fisher and Paykel three-Test series, starting tonight.

“I am not here in New Zealand to experiment,” Plummer said. “We are here to win, nothing less.

“We are prepared for this series and we have got the team to win.”

Australia opens its campaign against the Silver Ferns on Thursday night, October 12 in Wellington and is keen to build on the 10-goal success in Sydney last July against their long-time rivals.

New Zealand has been forced to make a late change, with former captain and midcourter, Julie Seymour coming into the side to replace injured defender Casey Williams. Williams has been ruled out of the series after injuring her knee at training this week.

Australia is confident of defeating the current World and Commonwealth Games champions despite not having won on New Zealand soil since 2001.

Captain, Liz Ellis is predicting a tough and close series.

“The series is going to be another tough battle and we are really looking forward to getting out there and taking on the World Champions,” Ellis said. “They are the benchmark team in the world and after years being the hunter, they now have become the hunted.

“We know the Silver Ferns have done their preparation in the lead-up to this series, but so have we, and we are aiming to build on our performance in Sydney.

“We love the big matches and this series will not disappoint.”

Australia’s last victory against the Silver Ferns in New Zealand was in 2001 at the Westpac Trust Centre in Christchurch, the venue for the final test in this series.

First Test – Thursday October 12
Events Centre in Wellington From 8:30pm local time (5:30pm AEST)
Delayed coverage on ABC TV at 11:40pm AEST.