The Australian Diamonds are on the hunt to put the World Cup trophy back in their trophy cabinet but the world’s best stands in their way.
By Stephanie Smarrelli
It’s been four years since the final whistle of the 2019 Netball World Cup final echoed throughout the arena in Liverpool, signaling the end of the tournament and heartbreak for the Australian Diamonds.
Now it’s time for the new Diamonds cohort to write their own future.
They might be world number one, but there is one piece of silverware that has eluded them for the last four years.
Gearing up for the 16th edition of the competition, the Diamonds have unfinished business and they’re here to work.
But they’ll have to beat the world’s best in Cape Town.
POOL ROUNDS
The Diamonds are in Pool A of this year’s Netball World Cup and will go head-to-head with Zimbabwe, Fiji and Tonga in the preliminary rounds.
First up Australia will take on World Number 13 Zimbabwe on Friday 28 July. The side finished third in the Netball World Cup African Qualifiers to qualify for the tournament.
The Zimbabwe Gems will be led by captain Felisitus Kwangwa, a fierce defender who walked away from the 2019 Netball World Cup with three Player of the Match performances.
Australia’s goal circle will be kept on their toes against Kwangwa and fellow defender Sharleen Makusha.
While Australia’s defensive unit will have the challenge of stopping prolific shooter Joice Takaidza.
The Diamonds will then face the rising force of Tonga on Saturday 29 July.
The Tonga Tala qualified for the Netball World Cup after finishing first at the Netball World Cup Oceania Qualifiers and are ranked seventh in the world. The side was unbeaten during the qualifiers and also remained unbeaten to claim three PacificAus Sports Netball Series titles since the series’ inception in March 2022.
The Diamonds will go head-to-head with Tala’s fearless captain Hulita Veve in the midcourt who not only hits the circle edge with speed but is also a menace when defending.
The Tala have also recruited the experience of Cat Tuivaiti and former Swift Mo’onia Gerrard. Tuivaiti has represented Samoa and New Zealand on the international stage while Gerrard is a former Diamond.
Also in the Tongan armoury is 2023 Swift Kelea Iongi, while Swifts Head Coach Briony Akle is part of their coaching team.
Rounding out the first round of competition, the Diamonds will battle the Fiji Pearls.
The Fijian side is ranked 19th in the world and qualified through the Netball World Cup’s Oceania Qualifiers.
The Pearls boast a wealth of experience through captain Maria Lutua Rusivakula. Heading to a third Netball World Cup, Rusivakula is a strong presence in the shooting circle, however, can also swing out into the wing attack position, providing the Pearls with plenty of versatility.
But, it’s teammate Vakaoca Bolakoro who will pose the biggest challenge for the Origin Diamonds to overcome against Fiji. The defender’s ability to read the play to steal possession will put pressure on the Diamonds’ midcourt to ensure that every pass is pinpoint.
Following from the first round the Diamonds will play in a second preliminary phase of competition with their opponents decided on the outcome of the first round before the placings and play off round that will determine the World Champions.
THE BIG DOGS
To hold the trophy at the end of the Netball World Cup, the Diamonds will have to battle the world’s best. Although we won’t know which teams they’ll face in the second and third stages of the World Cup until during the tournament, there’s a host of nations that pose a looming threat.
Host nation South Africa are out to prove that they’re capable of defeating the world’s best and with the home crowd advantage they’ve never been more primed to make their mark.
Coached by one of netball’s best in Norma Plummer AM, the Proteas will be a force to be reckoned with should the Diamonds meet them on the path to the World Cup final.
Captain Bongiwe Msomi will be a challenge for Liz Watson, Ash Brazill, Jamie-Lee Price and Paige Hadley in the midcourt while the Diamonds shooting end will be under pressure from Karla Pretorius and Phumza Maweni.
The England Roses will be difficult to beat with a mixture of experience and youth in their team. Geva Mentor and Jade Clarke will take to the court in a record- equaling sixth world cup.
The Diamonds will have to ensure their passes are careful with England’s Funmi Fadoju roaming in defence alongside Mentor, Layla Guscoth and Francesca Williams.
Additionally, the Diamonds defenders will need to stop Eleanor Cardwell from getting the ball in the goal circle, the Visit Victoria Player of the Match in the 2023 Suncorp Super Netball Grand Final heads into Cape Town in strong form.
During last year’s Commonwealth Games, one of the Diamonds’ toughest opponents was Jamaica. The Sunshine Girls are an imminent threat to claim the World Cup trophy.
Arguably home to two of the world’s best players with Jhaniele Fowler in the shooting circle and Shamera Sterling in defence, the side has a wealth of talent with other stars including Romelda Aiken-George, Latanya Wilson, Jodi Ann Ward, Kadie-Ann Dehaney and Adean Thomas.
The Diamonds will be well aware of the capabilities of the Jamaican side with many of the athletes playing in the Suncorp Super Netball League, however, in turn the Sunshine Girls will also know how to overcome the Diamonds having done so in one match of last year’s Commonwealth Games.
Then there’s the 2019 World Champions, New Zealand. For years the rivalry between the Diamonds and Silver Ferns has been a feature of Netball World Cups.
With the memory of losing to the Ferns in 2019 by a goal, the Diamonds will be determined to get their redemption and bring the trophy home to Australia.
However, the Ferns will have their sights set on going back-to-back and will be formidable opponents should the Diamonds meet them during the World Cup.
The side has talent across the court with captain Ameliaranne Ekenasio able to confidently shoot from any distance and youngster Grace Nweke another strong shooter putting the pressure on Diamonds Courtney Bruce, Sarah Klau, Jo Weston and Sunday Aryang to steal possession before it reaches their hands.
While in attack Sophie Garbin, Cara Koenen, Steph Wood and Kiera Austin will need to outsmart New Zealand defenders Karin Burger, Kelly Jury, Phoenix Karaka and Jane Watson who are likely to play a box defensive style.
This year’s Netball World Cup really is likely to be the most tightly contested and fierce world cup yet with so many netball nations powerhouses on the rise and ready to make the most of their opportunity at world cup glory.
*Article: Netball Australia
