Diamonds coach Lisa Alexander reckons Courtney Bruce has the potential to become an Australian netball legend, and says the defender can take the first step with a standout display against New Zealand.
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The Silver Ferns lead the Constellation Cup series 2-1, but Australia will retain the title on goal percentage if they can prevail on Sunday at a sold-out RAC Arena in front of more than 12,000 fans.
The battle between Bruce and star NZ goalshooter Maria Folau is set to prove crucial in the result.
Folau will become the second Silver Fern to reach 150 Tests in Sunday's encounter, after helping to mastermind last week's one-goal win over Australia in Sydney.
Alexander has set Bruce the challenge of coming up trumps this time.
"I've given Courts a bit of a rocket - there's no doubt about that," Alexander said.
"Courtney is a player who I think hasn't realised her full potential yet, and I believe that this weekend's game, she will have an opportunity to really stamp her authority on world netball in front of her home crowd.
"I can't see a ceiling (on her potential) - that's how good I think she is. I think athletically she's amazing.
"She's still not necessarily working at the high-performance level that I would want, and she knows that. But she's going to keep improving.
"She should be one of our great legends of the game, there's no doubt about that."
Bruce says Folau has become more physical during this series, and she's expecting more of the same on Sunday.
"I'm a defender, so I love being physical. That's the nature of my position. I don't mind it at all," Bruce said.
"The sport's getting tougher and more physical out there. If that's what we're going to do, I"m happy with that.
"Between Maria and I, it's just that mental game. We know she can shoot long.
"But it's just about trying to put that pressure on her early, really riding her from the start ... to try to wear her out by the fourth quarter."
The Diamonds won't be lacking motivation for the decider.
Shooter Caitlin Thwaites has announced she will retire from international ranks after the game, while Caitlin Bassett will notch her 100-Test milestone.
NZ haven't won the Constellation Cup since 2012, but are high on confidence after pipping Australia by a goal at July's World Cup.
Australian Associated Press
