For Silver Ferns coach Dame Noeline Taurua, the upcoming Constellation Cup series is a chance to test who sinks and who swims when thrown into the deep waters of test netball on Australian soil.
The NZ women have named a 15-strong squad for the four-match series, which features home games at Auckland and Tauranga, before two away fixtures at Melbourne and the Gold Coast.
Dame Noeline has selected two separate teams for the series, with just nine members of the squad to feature in all four tests, giving her and her coaching staff a chance to assess those on the fringe leading into next year's World Cup in South Africa.
"We're building towards World Cup, so we've got that as a long-term vision," said Taurua. "We're aso building upon the stuff we did at the Commonwealth Games and then also giving opportunities to those who are in the squads - both Silver Ferns and development.
"Making sure we're building the foundation is really important, without having interruption."
Among those recalled are midcouters Peta Toeava and Kimiora Poi, who had recently fallen out of favour with the national selectors.
Meanwhile, Grace Nweke and recent debutant Elle Temu will both have chances to stake their claim as first-choice players in their first foray on Australian soil.
"Where we're currently sitting at the moment, and where the athletes and individuals are, it's to prove to themselves," explained Taurua.
"I think that's the space we need to move into and I'm actually encouraging them to challenge us as selectors - that we have to pick them, because they can't be left out.
"These opportunities presented to them are the time for them to shine. It's a bit contradictory, I suppose, because we're also asking them to serve each other and to help each other, but when they get that time, they've got to own that bib.
"For me, it's exciting… for them, it's a bit daunting, but I hope they take it with two hands."
New Zealand currently hold the Constellation Cup, after breaking their drought with a 3-1 series win in March 2021.
But they were comfortably second best in their most recent clash with the Diamonds in England in January, when they were soundly beaten 53-39.
Dame Noeline knows her players - many of them have yet to experience test netball across the Tasman due to the pandemic - will be in for a baptism of fire, which is actually how she'd like it.
"They're learning on the job and they'll quickly know what it's like," she noted. "Not only one game, but our ability to back up in four matches is huge.
"We know in their system, when one goes out, another one comes in who's as exciting, who's as fit, who's as ruthless and competitive in their nature. We know, once again, they'll be tough in that circle.
"This is what it's all about, and the only way that they can learn is being on court and being challenged in this way."
Join us for live updates of the Constellation Cup series opener v Australia on October 12
