Rotation became a dreaded word in New Zealand sport in 2007, but Silver Ferns coach Ruth Aitken believes her questionable tactics in the 2-1 series defeat to Australia will give her an advantage ahead of next month's Commonwealth Games.
There are parallels in Aitken's master plan to those of All Blacks coach Graham Henry in the lead-up to the '07 World Cup disaster. Henry had arguably the two best sides in world rugby, with almost two quality players in each position.
This however, meant he did not have a solid first-choice team or intuitive understandings that are built only with time on the paddock, or court.
Aitken's full 12-strong squad received more court-time than her Australian counterparts in the Constellation Cup series. But in Auckland's six-goal loss, many thought two changes to the Ferns mid-court in the final quarter cost them the match and series.
"We firmly believe the more options we have the better," Aitken said, looking towards October's gold medal defence.
Australia has 110,000 registered players 18-years-and-over while New Zealand has 24,000, highlighting the challenge Aitken faces in building depth.
The 'white-hot' physical atmosphere Australia provided was an important caldron for players to become accustomed too. The series was the last, and first, chance for some to experience that intense environment before boarding the plane to India.
New Zealand's defence is the strongest it has ever been, with 23-year-old Katrina Grant's MVP performance on Sunday signalling her continued rise alongside the always-outstanding captain Casey Williams. Add Anna Scarlett's blossoming return from international volleyball, plus Leana de Bruin, and you see Aitken's dilemma there.
Not all combinations have gelled smoothly though. Temepara George, Laura Langman and Joline Henry are the favoured mid-court combination with ANZ Championship Player of the Year Liana Barrett-Chase pushing for a spot off the bench.
That foursome has struggled to feed their shooters and, apart from the second-Test in Wellington, did not bring the ball through-court with fluency or speed.
"Just because it doesn't work once doesn't mean it won't work again," Aitken said of switching her combinations rather than settling on a concrete side.
Experience is likely to give under-pressure-shooters Irene van Dyk and Maria Tutaia starts in Delhi but Daneka Wipiiti has staked a claim since having a baby last year and overcoming illness and injury.
"The improvement she's made has been really hearting and it's great to see her back in the environment and making such a positive contribution," Aitken said of the Southern Steel shooter.
At the other end of the scale, there is 2010 debutant Grace Rasmussen, who is looking more like a development selection after being given little opportunity at goal-attack.
New Zealand, Jamaica, England and favourites Australia are the 'big four' that will contest the Games.
Aitken may further tinker with her lineup in the first-up matches, but she has under a month to select her first-choice starting-seven and past failings show combinations must be established early.