The Silver Ferns are ready to take it up a gear, as they prepare to take on Australia and move into the knockout stage of the Netball World Cup in Liverpool.
The Kiwi side have won five from five to start the tournament, but are yet to face any of the stronger nations. That test comes on Thursday night (NZT) when they face Australia to determine who tops Group F.
The Ferns have thrashed their first opponents by an average of 46 goals - an 89-21 victory against Singapore was their biggest margin - and coach Noeline Taurua is pumped to face Australia.
"I have had enough and I'm looking forward to playing these big teams," she said. "This is what it's all about - in two games we will know where we are at."
The 51-year-old has come off a successful campaign coaching the Sunshine Coast to a defence of their Super Netball crown in the Australian league - meaning she knows the Diamonds players very well.
“I know them through analysis, through my job, through the Sunshine Coast, and vice versa, they know me," she said.
"Like anything, once you get out on court, it's about who will deliver and execute, and who can put the ball through the hoop and create the most turnovers."
Taurua said their whole tournament had been building up to this coming game.
"It was about getting our strategy better. We've sort of built ourselves up every day to get ready for Australia.
"Every game, we have been building to the big teams in Australia, England and probably South Africa now."
Ferns captain Laura Langman has been pleased with their tournament so far, but knows they need to take it up a gear, as they prepare for the business end.
"Aussie are playing clinical," Langman said. "They get the ball, they create ball, so we need to focus on ball retention and keep the pedal on the metal, when the momentum is going our way.
"Our strength is going to lie in having 12 [players] ready to go."
The Silver Ferns match against Australia is scheduled for 9pm (NZT) Thursday.
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