Netball World Cup Wrap: Finals

The Samsung Aussie Diamonds were eclipsed by a resurgent New Zealand side in an absolute thriller of a decider at the 2019 Vitality Netball World Cup.

The Silver Ferns’ return to netball’s pinnacle came on the back of a belief-fuelled final showing in Liverpool, as they reversed the result from the pool stages between the arch-rivals to win by a goal.

England defeated South Africa to claim the bronze medal, while Jamaica defeated Malawi 68-50 for fifth spot and Uganda defeated Zimbabwe 58-47 for seventh spot on the final day’s other matches.

Australia v New Zealand

It’s the rivalry that keeps on delivering. New Zealand were deserved winners of the 2019 title, producing a brilliant game full of near-flawless passages of play as they took the challenge up to the reigning champions.

The Aussies started well, building a four-goal lead early, but the Silver Ferns were quicker to respond than in their previous encounter during the preliminaries, and had levelled the scores at 10-apiece heading into the first break.

The second quarter was an arm-wrestle as the Silver Ferns upped their defensive pressure on the Diamonds. Caitlin Bassett – who netted all nine of her attempts during the opening term – found the going tougher under the ring, but stood tall for her team. Silver Ferns attacking duo Maria Folau (11/13) and Ameliaranne Ekenasio (7/7) kept finding space and made the most of some great passages down the court. It was goal-for-goal almost the entire quarter before New Zealand capitalised on a loose pass in the final 30 seconds to get the first break for the quarter and take a three-goal advantage into half-time.

Needing to find a spark to get the game back onto their terms, the Diamonds made a couple of changes heading into the third quarter, bringing Gretel Tippett into goal attack for Steph Wood, and swapping Sarah Klau in for Courtney Bruce in goal keeper. But it did little to bring change immediately – and both players drew cautions early throughout the quarter – as the New Zealand team continued to produce its best performance in recent memory, putting through five consecutive goals early in the third term to break out to a seven-goal lead.

The Aussies responded as the pressure continued to rise all over the court, and both sides only missed one attempt for the term, but it was the Silver Ferns who went into the final break with a four-goal advantage.

Despite the pressure, the Aussies’ found their composure early in the fourth quarter, and put through the first three goals to get within one of the Silver Ferns. But they weren’t able to draw level or take the lead – despite getting within a goal on three occasions as they put through every attempt for the term – and the Silver Ferns played out the last minute beautifully to run down the clock and hold on for their first Netball World Cup win since 2003.

Caitlin Bassett: It was another great captain’s game from Caitlin Bassett, who stood up to immense pressure from New Zealand’s defensive end and direct opponent Jane Watson. Her stats will show she shot at 88%, but importantly Bassett got the rebound on each of her missed attempts, so no play that ended with a goal attempt from the Diamonds captain went unrewarded. In a massive final quarter, she put through all nine attempts.

Jamie-Lee Price: Price played the better part of three quarters in wing defence, starting on the court in the decider, before being subbed off for April Brandley with a little over two minutes to run in the third quarter. She kept close tabs on Gina Crampton, and linked up well in Australia’s attacking forays. She had a beautiful long pass that feed to fellow GIANT Bassett for a goal in the second quarter as she continued her impressive form from her first World Cup tournament.

England v South Africa

England claimed its third successive World Cup bronze medal after bouncing back from their semi-final loss to New Zealand with a strong game against the Proteas.

After a close start to the game – Protea Lenize Potgieter put through her first five attempts in a great start – the Roses began to force some turnovers. South Africa fought back, and the host team held a narrow two-goal lead at the first break.

But in the second quarter, England began to get on top on the back of some beautiful shooting from Helen Housby, who finished with an incredible 100 per cent accuracy for her 29 attempts in the clash.

By half-time, the Roses’ lead was out to seven goals as Housby (10 goals for the term) and Jo Harten (five) capitalised on every scoring attempt.

The Proteas never looked like catching up as the Roses went from strength-to-strength, netting 17 goals to 10 in the third term to all but put the contest to rest, before eventually walking away 16-goal winners.

Jo Harten: The GIANTS goal attack capped a memorable World Cup tournament with a typically strong display, putting through 29 of 34 attempts, to go with five feeds, five goal assists, and a pickup. She was subbed off in the final moments of the fourth quarter to give Rachel Dunn some court time in the bronze-medal decider.