The tournament began in Sydney on Friday, with New Zealand playing Barbados in their first game.
The new-look Silver Ferns side also take on Trinidad and Tobago and Australia in pool play this weekend.
Australia seem certain to make the final, while many are picking England to be their opponent in the decider.
However Australian great Liz Ellis is tipping Jamaica to reach the final.
"It's my understanding that their working on their discipline and their patience which are two things Jamaica haven't had in the past and it's really cost them the opportunity to push for a finals match in the tournament. I understand from their mindset they really are comig across to win gold, they don't want to finish in the top three," Ellis said.
Meanwhile the Australia coach Lisa Alexander said she'll use the side's opening two Netball World Cup matches to find the starting line-up that will purr most against arch-rivals New Zealand.
Australia open their world title defence against 10th-ranked Trinidad and Tobago in Sydney on Friday night, and also have a match with ninth-ranked Barbados on Saturday to help prepare for the Silver Ferns on Sunday.
The Silver Ferns play Barbados in their opening game on Friday.
"It's always intelligence and seeing those really subtle connections together, combinations that you're looking for as a coach, and whether things are just humming," Alexander said.
Netball greats Liz Ellis (left) and Irene van Dyk hold the World Cup aloft on the Sydney Harbour bridge. Photo: Netball World Cup 2015
"It's kind of hard to describe it as a particular skill or tactic that you're looking for but it's just that ability to know that's what's working for us.
"If there's some really good strong connection together, that might be what we need against New Zealand."
Alexander said a win on Friday would set the tone for the rest of the tournament.