What Australian Diamonds coach, captain think of Silver Ferns netball World Cup chances

What Australian Diamonds coach and captain really think of the netball World Cup changes of the New Zealand Silver Ferns.

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Diamonds players are being prepared to face a New Zealand side emerging from one of the worst periods in its history to be real contenders for the world netball crown in the UK.

Captain Caitlin Bassett says the Diamonds consider the Silver Ferns as dangerous as ever despite a recent form slump which saw them fail to medal at last years Commonwealth Games for the first time ever.

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Coach Lisa Alexander says she expects to see a New Zealand back on the rise at the World Cup and with the potential to derail any and all of the top teams at the Liverpool event.

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“New Zealand will be strong. There is no doubt about that,” Alexander said.

“Noeline (Taurua, coach) has a very experienced team - they could be the one that surprise everyone.

“They have gone under the radar a bit in the last 12 months and they have an attitude of ‘we are dangerous. They are a team that could win.”

The Silver Ferns will clash with the Diamonds in the second preliminary phase of the tournament with their matchup scheduled for this Thursday.

Stephanie Wood shooting through the hand of New Zealander Katrina Grant.

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The Diamonds will go into this match with the upper hand after winning six of their seven most recent games.

But the Ferns have sharpened for the tournament with hard match play against a New Zealand mens team which could prove invaluable.

The Silver Ferns preparing for the world cup against their men’s side.

And back to captain the side after the Commonwealth Games disasters is veteran midcourter Laura Langman, with the Ferns also being lead by new coach Taurua, the woman behind the Super Netball successes of Sunshine Coast Lightning in 2017 and 2018.

“You never underestimate New Zealand, ever,’’ Bassett said.

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TV

All Diamonds matches will be on Nine’s Wide World of Sports.

All World Cup matches will be streamed live on 9Now.