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Coach Norma Plummer is counting on a party rather than extra pressure to change the fortunes of the Australian netball side in its final showdown with New Zealand.
The Diamonds blew an eight-goal first quarter lead to go down 46-41 to the Kiwis yesterday despite taking five more shots than their arch-rivals.
It was the Australians’ second loss in three Tests to New Zealand and puts their world No.1 ranking in jeopardy.
But Plummer didn’t have any plans to push the panic button, saying her inexperienced line-up was better for the outing ahead of the fourth and final Test against the Silver Ferns in Brisbane on Sunday.
With veteran skipper Sharelle McMahon and fellow shooter Cath Cox injured for the international series as well as a number of post world championship retirements, the Diamonds have a raft of new players.
The tally of international caps for Australia’s entire squad going into the Melbourne match was 162 – a figure equalled by New Zealand’s premier goal shooter Irene van Dyk on her own.
Plummer said that she wanted to keep the experience “positive”.
“We’re going up to Runaway Bay we’re going to have a bit of a party at the Gold Coast and keep it light-hearted and not put too much pressure on this young group, I don’t think they need that,” Plummer said.
“It’s very much a learning curve for them, they need to be taught and that’s what we’re going to be concentrating on.
“It’s a young group, and it’s fantastic for them to have the opportunities and we’ve got to grow with that and make sure we keep it positive for them.”
West Australian goal shooter Kate Beveridge, 23, is one player Plummer has ear-marked as a star of the future.
Beveridge stands 193cm, three centimetres taller than van Dyk.
She only managed to convert 68 per cent of her chances yesterday, while van Dyk nailed 94 per cent.
But Plummer said she was likely to play her again in Brisbane.
“At this stage I’d like Katie to be there and learn,” Plummer said.
“She actually came in as the sixth or seventh shooter, from outside the squad.
“She’s going to be a force to be reckoned with and I’d like to see her get a little bit stronger, get her on to the weights and she’ll be well and truly there.”
Plummer said she wasn’t concerned about rankings and statistics and felt confident about the future.
“We’re in a good position to think we’ve got that experience (in McMahon and Cox) to come back.
“Six goals is not a massive win, sorry.”