Welcome along to our live coverage of the Silver Ferns' big World Cup match v Australia. The teams have just been led out onto court here at Allphones Arena in Sydney.
Welcome along to our live coverage of the Silver Ferns' big World Cup match v Australia. The teams have just been led out onto court here at Allphones Arena in Sydney.
Good grief, it's going to be loud in here if the ovation for the teams is any thing to go by.
Another good start for Kopua - wins the toss again, an NZ will have the first centre pass.
Just a reminder of what the Ferns are up against today - Australia have won the past nine meetings between the two sides. Their average winning margin last year over NZ was by 12 goals.
Silver Ferns shooters first out for practice, and still out there before the full team warm-up.
World record crowd for a netball game, 16,500 at Allphones Arena. This stadium is pretty off the hook to be fair... the Aussies know how to put on a sporting event
What do you guys reckon? Send us through your score predictions for the match.
Feeling a bit awkward - Temepara Bailey and Cath Cox out on court being asked to go through and assess the team line-ups...while the players are there!
Go the Hairy Javelin! Grant Elliott and Katrina Grant are good mates, doing a lot of promotional things together around Wellington sport.
Ad being played on the big screen of the Aussie team in the supermarket. Seem familiar?
Righto, the bibs are on, teams are in their huddles and about to line up for the anthems. Key match-ups for me are the two GD v GA battles and for Cullen to shut down Green.
Silver Ferns looking pretty relaxed as they wait to be called on for the national anthems.
The umpires are both from England, Gary Burgess and Ian Fuller.
Oh wait, no national anthems...straight into it
Not a good start from Bailey Mes...she runs to the wrong goal circle. Oops!
Real sense of anticipation and excitement here, but certainly nerves among the NZ supporters. There has been many questions about this team - now we get some answers.
Tutaia misses first goal, but recovers to win the ball back and comes up short again.
Tutaia nails it this time, converting the turnover from Grant 1-1
The height in Australian defensive circle already troubling the Ferns' shooters. They don't look comfortable on the shot.
Grant again! Massive intercept and Mes lands her first goal.
Umpiring style may favour NZ here. Defenders won't be allowed to get away with much, as the Australians have found out early.
5-4 to NZ after five minutes.
First big error from NZ, wayward pass and ball out of court. Kopua wins in back - seems like she's getting that aerial ability back.
Every goal for Australia being greeting with roaring applause.
NZ zone defence working very well early on. The defenders are getting a lot of touches and picking up turnover ball, which is critical for NZ given the lower shooting percentage.
Offensive contact called on Rasmussen. Turnover to Australia, but the Kiwis win the ball back after forcing the error down the other end of the court.
Tutaia going at 4/8 at the moment, just coming up short with a number of shots. Aussie hit the front 8-7 but miss the chance to go two ahead.
Amazing footwork in the goal circle from Bailey Mes. She tiptoes along the baseline to take the ball in perfect position under the post
Mes is working her socks off and doing well so far, yet to miss a shot.
Better shooting from Tutaia. She nails a long bomb from out wide
by Kavana Love via twitter 8/9/2015 4:28:08 AM
