Any fears over Grace Nweke's absence have quickly been dispelled by the arrival of teenage shooter Amelia Walmsley into the Silver Ferns.
At 19, Walmsley debuted in the most dire of circumstances, with New Zealand's backs to the wall and facing the embarrassment of losing the Taini Jamison Trophy to a second-string England side.
Showing composure beyond her years, she rose to the challenge.
On debut, Walmsley shot 36/41 against the Roses to guide the Silver Ferns to a 57-36 win to level the series, then went even better in the decider with 40/44 to keep the trophy in Kiwi hands.
England's physicality saw her on the floor more than once, but the daughter of former Blackcaps quick bowler Kerry Walmsley got back to her feet every time.
As her shooting partner, Silver Ferns captain Ameliaranne Ekenasio had the best seat in the house to watch her junior teammate shine, providing 40 assists for Walmsley's 76 goals, as a partnership began to grow between the two.
Asked for her assessment of Walmsley's performance in her first taste of the black dress, Ekenasio says the Ferns may have uncovered a gem.
"I'm just super proud of her," she said. "At such a young age, to come out and play two full games, I just think that's incredible.
"The amount that she was able to grow within the game is really cool as well. We're putting her under a bit of pressure and expecting a lot from her.
"She's really standing up, standing up to the physicality as well. She's happy to turn and shoot, which is incredible.
"She's going [from] strength to strength."
Just how long Walmsley will stay in the Silver Ferns' starting line-up remains to be seen.
While her debut performances were impressive, the teenager still has work to do if she's to become coach Dame Noeline Taurua's first choice in the goal shoot bib.
Nweke's knee injury, suffered at this year's World Cup in South Africa, is on the mend and she's named to play some part in the upcoming Constellation Cup series against Australia.
Starting October 12, the Ferns face the Diamonds four times at Melbourne, Brisbane, Invercargill and Auckland in an 11-day stretch.
Dame Noeline always hoped Nweke would play a part in the third and fourth tests, but doesn't want to rush her star shooter back before she's ready and risk further injury.
"At the moment, I can probably tick [off] New Zealand," said Dame Noeline. "We're pretty clear on that, but still unsure whether we'll have her available for Aussie.
"In saying that, she'll come in with us and so will Kate Burley as well. We're carrying 14 [players].
"Every day is getting better for her. She's starting to get on court, do change of direction.
"Hopefully we can, but [I'm] unsure at this stage."
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