Williams' experience necessary on or off court

The Silver Ferns will utilise Casey Williams' experience whether or not she's able to take the court in Thursday night's second Constellation Cup test against Australia.

The skipper is nursing a knee injury she aggravated ahead of the first test.

Fellow defender Katrina Grant says while they always want Williams on court, she was influential from the bench in Melbourne.

"She's always constantly coaching us from the sideline and coming into quarter breaks and she's always giving us words of wisdom and what we can improve on and things so she's like that extra coach which I really enjoyed."

Grant started in the place of injured skipper Casey Williams in the first test, but with Williams recovering she might not be needed on Thursday night.

She says she's learnt to cope with not knowing when her next opportunity will come.

"No matter what, my preparation's always the same and I can't take things too seriously or get too wound up in what's happening, just go out there and do your thing."

Casey Williams took part in Silver Ferns training this morning and assistant coach Noeline Taurua is positive of her chances of playing.

Photo: Photosport