Helen Housby of England during the 2023 Netball World Cup semifinal game between England and New Zealand at CTICC in Cape Town, South Africa on 5 August 2023 © Christiaan Kotze/BackpagePix Photo: BackpagePix
The Silver Ferns will have to beat Jamaica in the bronze medal match tomorrow morning to avoid their worst ever finish at a Netball World Cup.
The Silver Ferns hopes of retaining their title were dashed after losing 46-40 to England in their semi-final in South Africa last night.
It's the first World Cup final the Silver Ferns have missed out on since 1995.
A few hours later Australia beat Jamaica 57-54 to set up a gold medal match with England, who have never made a World Cup final until now.
It's also the first time at a World Cup that New Zealand are not meeting their trans-Tasman rivals.
The Silver Ferns lowest finish at a World Cup is third and it will take a big effort for them to beat Jamaica after they lost to them by 11 goals two days ago.
Devastating loss for Ferns
New Zealand coach Dame Noeline Taurua and assistant Deb Fuller. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
The Silver Ferns performance against England was their best so far of the tournament, and the two sides couldn't be separated on the scoreboard until the last five minutes.
The fact that New Zealand again struggled to get the ball to their shooters, caught up with them in the end.
Captain Ameliaranne Ekenasio, who had to do a power of work at goal attack, said it was devastating.
"We're feeling really heartbroken as well. We were really in it for the three quarters and I think we really stood up.
"It's kind of been the story of us so far that fourth quarter but I really thought we had our chances as well in that."
"We have to get up again and find a way, we've got a lot of heart left and we're not done yet," Ekenasio said.
Going into the game England had 828 Test caps to New Zealand's 463.
Kate Heffernan during the Netball World Cup match between South Africa and New Zealand at the CTICC in Cape Town, South Africa on 2 August, 2023. Photo: Mandatory credit: Christiaan Kotze/C&C Photo Agency Photo: Christiaan Kotze / C&C Photo Agency
Assistant coach Deb Fuller said the experienced heads of England were telling in the final moments of the game.
"I think we were probably running out of ideas and options about how we were going to bring the ball through court and find the space," Fuller said.
"You've got to give England credit to be able to hold on for that last five minutes, that's where the scales tipped over on us, and they were able to take advantage.
"Really disappointed for the girls because it's always our goal to make a grand final in a World Cup."
Defenders Kelly Jury, Karin Burger, and centre Kate Heffernan were able to get some uplifting defensive gains.
New Zealand were extremely accurate shooting at 97 percent between Maia Wilson and Ekenasio but they just didn't have enough volume.
England coach Jess Thirlby said they tried to stifle New Zealand's attacking flow.
"We needed to make sure that more often than not we stopped the depth and the connection between wing attack and goal attack …we felt if we could hold that up long enough it puts more bodies in front of the ball," Thirlby said.
Ameliaranne Ekenasio (Captain) of New Zealand Silver Ferns during the Netball World Cup Semi-Final 1 match between England and New Zealand at the CTICC in Cape Town, South Africa on Friday, 05 August 2023 Photo: Mandatory credit: Christiaan Kotze/C&C Photo Agency Photo: Christiaan Kotze/C&C Photo Agency
Silver Ferns coach Dame Noeline Taurua said they were under huge pressure right throughout the game.
"At times it was ebbing and flowing but it was about the last 6-7 minutes …that things started to fall apart a wee bit.
"These are the things, when there are gaps or we're just not able to stand up to pressure then the turnover happens. We just need to go into tomorrow's game looking to be better.
"Physically they were really riding us in our shooting end which is what we were expecting. They deserve to be there, they had a great game."
"I can only be proud of where they [Silver Ferns] are, they've done their best and from a coaching point of view that's all you can ask for. Tomorrow's another day and we will look to try and string 60 minutes together," Dame Noeline said.
Jamaican shooter Jhaniele Fowler said they would not be complacent after their win over the Silver Ferns.
"It definitely does give us confidence however New Zealand is a world class team and I know that Noeline is going to make her adjustments and so are we," Fowler said.
World order shifting?
Until three days ago, Jamaica had never beaten New Zealand at a World Cup nor had England beaten Australia at the pinnacle event.
In another sign of how close the top four teams are at this World Cup, five out of six quarters across both semi-finals were drawn.
It could easily have been a Jamaica-England gold medal match for the first time ever.
Australia will want to recapture the title they last four year's ago. Photo: © SWpix.com (t/a Photography Hub Ltd)
It is the first World Cup since 1995 that the Silver Ferns and Australia are not meeting in the final.
England coach Jess Thirlby said the world order was shifting.
"I think those of us that are very close to the global game feel that every time we're out on court …the margins are so tight.
"I'm really proud that we're playing a part in shaking up the order I think it's healthy, I think the sport needs it," Thirlby said.
Defender Kelly Jury said they didn't want to go home empty handed.
"I could almost guarantee in the build-up to this tournament we've worked the hardest out of all the teams so we need something to take home to show for it," Jury said.
"I know we're going to use this pain and heartache and turn that into power for tomorrow."
The bronze medal match is at 2am Monday.
-RNZ