Legendary Silver Ferns shooter Irene van Dyk is backing the New Zealand national side to back up their impressive 10-goal win over the Australia Diamonds last month with another strong outing in tonight's first Constellation Cup Test in Auckland.
Nearly a month after their 57-47 win over their trans-Tasman rivals, the Silver Ferns will open the four-Test series at Spark Arena tonight where Van Dyk believes their newfound diversity will continue to trouble Australia.
But she also warned that while younger players were given chances in the Quad Series and Taini Jamison Series over the last two months, tonight will be reserved for the Silver Ferns' top combinations.
"[Silver Ferns coach] Janine [Southby] will want to win," van Dyk told TVNZ1's Breakfast.
"She is going to look for her best options, she is going to look where she can for some firepower.
"You have Bailey [Mes], you have Te Paea [Selby-Rickit], you have Maria [Tutaia] and you have Maia [Wilson] - those are four strong shooters. Those are four strong goal attacks; having that variety... [Southby] will have the Australians guessing."
Van Dyk also said newfound defensive star Kelly Jury will match the height of Australian sharpshooter Caitlin Bassett is an important aspect heading into the series.
The Silver Ferns play Australia at 7:30pm.
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