Silver Ferns coach Dame Noeline Taurua admits their series loss to England last month provided a timely reality check for her squad.
The world champions fell to a 2-1 defeat at the hands of the Roses, where some of their rookies were exposed in the white-hot intensity of test netball.
Those players - including 19-year-old shooter Grace Nweke - will have another chance to prove their mettle against the Aotearoa Men's side in their upcoming three-game series in Wellington, which starts on Sunday.
"For some players, England was probably a bit of a rude awakening," Taurua says. "It was a test of what international netball is really about.
"I was really disappointed in the second and third tests obviously, having the lead and not being able to stop the leak. We were 10 goals up but got ourselves pulled apart really fast.
"I know where they are as individuals – this series will see how fast they can learn and then also how big the gap is and whether I can improve them in that timeframe."
Helping their cause against the men will be the likely return of key players Gina Crampton and Tiana Metuarau.
Stand-in captain Crampton played no part in the second and third tests against England due to a hip abductor strain, while Metuarau - having starred in her debut in he first match - was forced from the court in the second game with her own abductor issue.
Both were considered questionable heading into this week's training camp but Dame Noeline is confident both will be available to take the court in the capital.
"They’re following a 'return-to-play' plan," says Taurua. "They've exceeded where we thought they were, so that's definitely a tick.
"There's nearly a guarantee they will be out there on court in the next three games, so that's a bonus."
Meanwhile, the men are contending with their own issues caused by New Zealand's current COVID-19 travel restrictions.
Six members of the squad who are based in Auckland and the Waikato - including captain Kruze Tangira - are still awaiting exemptions to be granted to travel to Wellington.
The Silver Ferns haven't experienced much success against the men's side, who have won their last three games against their female counterparts in relatively convincing fashion.
But Taurua insists winning results aren't of secondary concern for her side, as they continue their focus on developing combinations for next year's action-packed campaign, which includes the Commonwealth Games in July.
"We can only expect they'll play a certain style, but we have to be better in our own game," Taurua notes.
"There were areas we were exposed against England that we need to get better. It's all about us, without disrespecting them.
"It's also an opportunity for players, if they get the bib and get out on court, for selections for the Commonwealth Games next year."
Join us from 7pm Sunday for live updates of the first match between Silver Ferns and Aotearoa Men
