Netball World Cup

Australia dominate England to win Netball World Cup for 12th time

Jess Thirlby’s side, hoping for a flourish to end their historic World Cup campaign, battled valiantly for the full 60 minutes but the world No 1 side were of a different class, turning the screw on England in the second half to storm to their 12th world title.

Silver Ferns ride luck into semi they prepared for months ago

New Zealand finished second in their side of the draw after being beaten by Jamaica, while England upset Australia on the other side to finish top of the pool.

It means the Silver Ferns will meet England in the semi-finals tonight, while Australia and Jamaica will duke it out in the second semi-final in South Africa.

New Zealand's aim was always to finish top of their pool so they would get a slightly easier semi-final against, what they expected would be, England.

"A lot of our strategy has been set up for England," Dame Noeline said.

Silver Ferns coach says her side can survive loss of star shooter

The 21-year-old is arguably the side's most important player and her World Cup ending injury has sent ripples through the tournament.

Nweke came off with what looked like a minor knee issue in the Silver Ferns' game against Singapore on Sunday.

It was only as a precaution that the shooter got scans.

But the results came through late on Sunday night (South African time) and revealed a partial tear in her patella tendon.

The majority of the team found out the next morning before their game against Wales.

Dame Noeline Taurua to guide Silver Ferns to next World Cup

Taurua will guide the Silver Ferns at next year's Commonwealth Games in Birmingham and has the chance to win back-to-back world titles in South Africa the following year.

Netball New Zealand Chief Executive Jennie Wyllie said they were delighted to retain the services of the world class coach.

"Noeline has a proven record at all levels and is an outstanding coach and leader. Just as importantly she has played a major role in driving our high performance netball community in the same direction," she said.

Silver Ferns get World Cup bonus

There was no prizemoney for the side's one point win over Australia in Liverpool on Monday but Sky Television, along with ANZ, MYOB and Puma, will make a financial contribution to ensure the side is remunerated.

Each player will get $25,000.

Netball New Zealand chief executive Jennie Wyllie said it was a great feeling to be able to reward players for their extraordinary efforts in lifting the trophy for the first time in 16 years.

Silver Ferns coach Noeline Taurua salutes Maria Folau's toughness

Folau helped lead the Silver Ferns to their first Netball World Cup title since 2003, landing 28 goals from 35 attempts in their 52-51 upset final win over Australia in Liverpool on Sunday (Monday NZ time).

It had been a long time coming for the 32-year-old, who along with Ferns' veterans Laura Langman and the retiring Casey Kopua, lost World Cup finals to Australia in 2007, 2011, and 2015.

Watching Folau effortlessly sink her trademark long range bombs during the World Cup, you wouldn't have known the challenges she's faced in her personal life in recent months. 

Silver Ferns upset Australia to capture title

New Zealand stunned three-time defending champions Australia 52-51 in a thrilling Netball World Cup final in Liverpool on Sunday (Monday morning NZ time). 

It completes a massive 11-month turnaround from the Ferns under coach Noeline Taurua who took over last August, following last April's harrowing performance at the 2018 Commonwealth Games under previous coach Janine Southby. 

New Zealand last won the World Cup trophy in 2003 in Jamaica, losing finals to Australia in 2007, 2011, and 2015.

Silver Ferns shock England, will meet Australia in final

The Silver Ferns made a dream start in Liverpool, and England found themselves down 5-nil.

Jane Watson and Casey Kopua poured on the pressure, both coming up with flashy intercepts.

The retiring Kopua, determined to make another World Cup final, pulled off classic blocks and picked off balls outside the circle.

Helen Housby helped get England back into the game, going to post, while GS Jo Harten tried to recover from early nerves. Housby also picked up a couple of key intercepts.

The Silver Ferns led 12-9 after the first quarter.

NZ looking to keep grand final run alive

Despite the slump of form since the 2018 Commonwealth Games, the Silver Ferns are showing promising signs entering the final rounds with only one loss to their name against Australia where they fell by a single goal 49 to 50.

The Silver Ferns haven't missed a World Cup final since 1995 and its clear they want to keep it that way.

That year in Birmingham former Silver Fern shooter Irene Van Dyk not only led the South African Proteas to a 59-57 win, booking a finals spot against Australia, but they broke New Zealand hearts in one of the biggest upsets in World Cup history.

Diamonds beat Silver Ferns in cliffhanger

Australia have dominated New Zealand in recent times, winning seven of eight clashes since the start of 2018.

But the Silver Ferns are a new-look unit and refused to give up after being down by as many as nine goals at one point.

Coach Noeline Taurua started with her strongest line-up, with Maria Folau at GS and Ameliaranne Ekenasio at GA.

It was fairly evenly poised early on but the Diamonds ended the first quarter with a burst, leading 13-10 at the first break.