Taumaunu ready to be impressed

New Zealand netball coach Waimarama Taumaunu wants to see what the rest of her squad has to offer in the second Test against Malawai in Napier on Sunday.

Silver Ferns coach Waimarama Taumaunu will give the rest of her 12-strong squad a chance to impress in the second netball Test against Malawi in Napier on Sunday.

A new-look line-up downed the world No.5 Queens 70-32 in Wellington on Thursday, with Taumaunu running some new combinations in a bid to give her players plenty of court time.

While there is little likelihood of a loss, Taumaunu says her players have plenty of motivation to work hard ahead of next year's Commonwealth Games title defence.

"We want to get more people on court and individually, we have targets we want to work on," she said.

Rookie midcourter Katarina Cooper looks set to start, and Taumaunu is looking forward to seeing what she has to offer.

"She brings some really great attacking skills - she's a taller midcourter, she looks early to the goal post and she's got a great pass on her," Taumaunu said.

"She'll come in with some pretty established people on either side of her. We're trying to give people an opportunity to show the skills they have and to be successful."

Cooper will be given the chance to work on her links into the circle, with goal shoot Cathrine Latu likely to start alongside goal attack Maria Tutaia after both shooters sat out the first Test.

Joline Henry should return to wing defence, while captain and goal defence Casey Kopua - who missed a rare match against Malawi - is another guaranteed starter.

Taumaunu let her starting seven see out the match in Wellington and plans to do the same in Napier before picking a form team for the third Test in Hamilton on Thursday.

"By Hamilton, I'll be thinking about rewarding good performance with court time."


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