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Silver Ferns look to defy history

Published: 9:13AM Thursday September 20, 2012 Source: ONE Sport

Recent history will be against the Silver Ferns tonight as they chase back-to-back victories over Australia in the second Constellation Cup Test at Auckland's Vector Arena.

After upsetting the Diamonds in Melbourne on Sunday, New Zealand are now aiming to lift the trophy for the first time with their first back-to-back wins over their arch-rivals since 2008.

The Silver Ferns haven't won a series over the old foe since 2004 and would dearly love to change that before the third and final Test in Christchurch on Sunday.

Assistant coach Noeline Taurua said they will be looking to put history out of their minds tonight and focussing on putting another top performance on the court.

"It's about being process driven, not getting carried away with the outcome and making sure that we can dot the i's and cross the t's and do the basics," Taurua told TV ONE's Breakfast this morning.

"Consistency is huge for any team or any sportsperson, to be able to perform week after week or game after game, that's what we aspire to do, but if you take a step back, it's about working very hard to make it happen and just keeping it very basic and simple."

Taurua believed that the presence of new coach Wai Taumaunu had given the Ferns a harder edge and made them fitter which would help them improve their consistency and register more regular wins against the Australians.

"It's her tenacity and also what she expects, you definitely know what that is.

"When we've come back from Melbourne we've had some very hard trainings and once again I think that epitomises Wai, it's about the performance and being performance driven."

Management were yet to come to a decision over whether captain Casey Williams would take the court as they continue to take a pragmatic approach with the talismanic defender. Williams missed the first Test with her troublesome knee giving her trouble and it will be left to the last minute to make a call on whether she will suit up tonight.

Taurua said the strong defensive performance in Williams' absence on Sunday gave them confidence that they are not reliant on the veteran.

"That's one of the strengths that's currently showing, that because Casey's not there or hadn't been there, that someone else can take the opportunity so that's definitely a bonus for the squad."

Follow live updates as the Silver Ferns try to claim the Constellation Cup on onenews.co.nz from 7:30pm.

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