The Silver Ferns are just two wins away from winning the World Cup in Sydney. Netball writer Robert van Royen looks at the short but tough road the Ferns face to win a fifth title.
DEAL TO ENGLAND
Minus Australia, we Kiwis love nothing more than beating England.
Today's semifinal against the Roses is the first meeting between the teams since England tipped up the Silver Ferns for just the fourth time in history late last year.
Since upsetting Australia in pool play, the Ferns have recorded scratchy wins over Jamaica and Malawi before thumping Uganda.
While England lost by 10 to Australia in the second round, you get the feeling the Ferns cannot afford another below-par performance if they are to advance to the gold-medal match.
Casey Kopua and Katrina Grant will be much more comfortable defending England shooter Jo Harten than they were towering Jamaican Romelda Aiken a few days ago.
At the other end, Bailey Mes and Maria Tutaia can expect England defender and captain Geva Mentor to make life difficult.
BEAT AUSTRALIA, AGAIN
Let's be honest: Jamaica is not going to beat the Diamonds in their semifinal today.
As good as it would be, chances are the Ferns will have to beat Australia for the second time in a week if they get past England.
Did anyone seriously pick the Silver Ferns to beat Australia in pool stage?
The 52-47 win sent the Diamonds to the tougher pool in the second stage, but also gave them a mighty wake-up call.
If New Zealand and Australia meet in the final, it will be the fifth time - and fourth consecutive time - the transtasman neighbours have played in the decider since finals were introduced in 1991.
One area the Ferns will need to improve if they are to win the World Cup is their shooting.
They almost certainly will not get away with shooting 75% against the defending champion like they did last weekend.
However, if our shooters lift and our midcourt - Kayla Cullen, Laura Langman and Grace Rasmussen - continues to shine, dare to dream.
IN MES WE TRUST?
There is no doubt the much-maligned Bailey Mes has so far proven a few people wrong (myself included).
She is still only shooting around the 82% mark, but that is considerably better than the 65% she was shooting - if you could call it that - this time last year.
As much as she can frustrate with missed shots and handling errors under the goal post, there are not many players better at finding space than the elusive Mes.
She might only be 1.87m tall, but her rebounding has also been huge - particularly when partner in crime Maria Tutaia is missing from range.
If Mes, who is playing at the expense of Cathrine Latu, can lead us to gold, Silver Ferns coach Waimarama Taumaunu is a genius.
• The Silver Ferns won their fifth win from as many matches at the World Cup with a 76-33 defeat of Uganda in Sydney last night.
New Zealand took the opportunity to rest Kayla Cullen, Casey Kopua and Bailey Mes but still had far too many guns for the African side.
Goal shoot Malia Paseka led the way for the Ferns with with 49 goals from 55 attempts while goal attack Jodi Brown chimed in with 22 from 29. Maria Tutaia, playing her 100th test, shot five from seven.
The details
The results
Jamaica 63, Malawi 62
Zambia 67, Singapore 36
England 62, South Africa 46
Australia 89, Wales 24
Today's semifinals
Australia v Jamaica, 2.10pm
Silver Ferns v England, 4.20pm
Tomorrow's games
3rd/4th playoff, 3.10pm
Grand final, 5.20pm
Second round
The scores
New Zealand 76
Malia Paseka 49/55, Jodi Brown 22/29, Maria Tutaia 5/7
Uganda 33
Proscovia Peace 19/22, Racheal Nanyonga 11/18, Florence Amono 2/4, Stella Oyella 1/2Q1,20-3; Q2,39-16; Q3, 56-24
