Silver Ferns shooter Maia Wilson has a warning for the England Roses as her side tries to reverse their fortunes and win the final Taini Jamison Trophy series game in Invercargill tomorrow.
The Silver Ferns dropped the opening two games of the series — handing the Roses their first series win since 2021 — losing test one 59-58 and then 59-55 on Wednesday.
After those performances, the Silver Ferns were starving for a full 60-minute performance and a win.
"It’s not just hungry — it’s a must," Wilson said.
"That last game really hurt. It’s about the mana, and the legacy, of the Silver Fern, the mana, and the legacy, for Taini Jamison herself.
"For us, there’s no other choice and the only way we can do it is if we do it together."
Wilson believed the Roses had shown the best of what they had already this series and had little room for tweaks in the third test.
The Silver Ferns, however, were yet to put their best on the court.
"I think that’s the exciting thing, that we just actually have to be able to come out there and execute."
The Roses pressured the Silver Ferns with a tight through-court zone — a traditional Kiwi style — in the opening two tests and the Silver Ferns struggled to punch through.
Rather than the Roses dominating the Silver Ferns, Wilson felt they were "over-thinking a lot" on their pass, and transition, through court.
"We’re just not playing with vision and opening up.
"We’ve definitely analysed, not necessarily them, because we realise we’re actually doing it to ourselves, [but] how do we just play the game freely.
"This is the zone style we’re used to playing week-in, week-out — this should be our bread and butter.
"We work well when we play for and with each other."
Wilson has made cameos off the bench at goal attack this series, replacing captain Ameliaranne Ekenasio for short bursts.
Her role off the bench changed the structure and was unpredictable, making the opposition think twice and something Wilson believed worked.
She was happy to play her role for the Silver Ferns in whatever capacity, whether it was a full game, or five minutes — "I’m happy to be someone’s legs while they need a bit of a breath" — and was grateful the coaching staff believed in her.
Coming from a goal shoot background helped Wilson when she was out the front, and while she said she was not a "traditional" goal attack, that was her difference.
She read the game differently and was glad to add another string to her bow.
"I’m able to open up vision, I’m able to use my body — because that’s my strength — and seeing how I can create, not only for myself, really open up for others," Wilson said.
"I feel like that’s something that’s continuing to develop in my game."
Wilson, who debuted for the Silver Ferns in 2016, earned her 50th cap on Wednesday, a privilege and full circle moment for the 27-year-old.
"To think an 18-year-old that got a shot back in the day . . . to actually get one test, let alone 50, is actually a massive thing.
"To be part of a legacy is something that I’ll never forget."
And the Northern Stars captain looked forward to being on the right side of the passionate Invercargill crowd tomorrow night.
"Every time we come to ILT [Stadium], it’s a full house. That’s the atmosphere that we want.
"We know what this crowd can do, they are the eighth player and . . . hopefully we bring some sunny days to a pretty wet and rugged south."
