It's been 14 years since Vicki Wilson donned the green and gold of Australia, but the competitive streak is as strong as ever going into Sunday's first netball Test between the Diamonds and the Silver Ferns in Invercargill.
Only this time, the former Australian captain will be dressed in the black and silver of New Zealand, sitting on the bench as coach Waimarama Taumaunu's assistant in the first of five Constellation Cup matches.
The sniff of a trans-Tasman clash is more than enough to fire up Wilson, who says she can't wait to finally see how the Silver Ferns stack up against her compatriots.
A fierce competitor in a career that spanned 15 years and included three consecutive world titles, Wilson was a surprise selection as New Zealand assistant back in May.
But her expertise at the sharp end of the court has proven a perfect foil for Taumaunu's defensive savvy.
Wilson has been mightily impressed with the Fern's long-established top shooting combination of evergreen Irene van Dyk and long-bomb specialist Maria Tutaia, but believes they can be even better.
"They're very creative and I don't believe they're predictable," she told AAP.
"They're always trying to find something extra."
Wilson's prime focus has been centred around developing more variation from the Silver Ferns in the attacking third.
"Variety is certainly up there, along with what we offer inside the circle and in the forward line - it's about ensuring we have viable options," she said.
