Netball World Cup final 2023: Australia v England, Jo Weston available

England coach Jess Thirlby has lit the fuse for a spicy World Cup final, labelling the Australians as a group of individuals, but not as strong a team as England.

England coach Jess Thirlby has lit the fuse for a spicy World Cup final after labelling the Diamonds a group of star individuals rather than a cohesive team.

Speaking after the Roses’ one-goal victory over the Diamonds on Thursday, Thirlby said her side’s strength was in its unity.

“I think our strength is in the collective and their strength very much lies with individuals,” Thirlby said.

The comments will be like a red rag to a bull for the Diamonds, who believe every member of the 12-player game day squad will be crucial if they are to snare a 12th World Cup title early Monday morning Australian time.

England coach Jess Thirlby. (Photo by Misha Jordaan/Gallo Images/Netball World Cup 2023 via Getty Images)

The team received a boost on Sunday morning though with news Jo Weston had been cleared for the match following monitoring for any delayed concussion symptoms following a head knock in the semi-final against Jamaica.

Weston underwent a sideline assessment, was monitored throughout the match and underwent a post-game precautionary SCAT (Sport Concussion Assessment Tool) assessment after crashing to the floor following a collision that also involved skipper Liz Watson.

She was then reviewed again on Sunday morning (South African time) to ensure no development of delayed concussion before being cleared to play in the final.

The Roses believe they should have won by more against Australia, despite having come back from an eight-goal deficit in the third quarter to win the match.

They followed that up with another victory against New Zealand in the semi-final giving them wins over the world no. 1 and no. 2 to make their way into the gold medal match.

The Roses have performed outstandingly in Cape Town and have not been backward in stating their belief they can hoist the World Cup trophy.

But their confidence has also come with some shots at their opponents.

NSW Swifts goaler Helen Housby – surely a contender for player of the tournament given her performances over the past week in Cape Town – said her side wanted the game more and looked fitter than the Diamonds in the final stages of their preliminary round clash.

Jo Weston will be available for the Aussies. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images for Netball Australia)

Where the pressure of the match seemed to be an enormous burden for the Diamonds, Housby and shooting partner Eleanor Cardwell wanted the ball in their hands.

“I think pressure either makes you or breaks you,” said Housby, whose goal in the dying seconds won England the gold medal at the Commonwealth Games in 2018.

“In that last quarter, we wanted it more and I think we looked the stronger team, we looked fitter and we want the ball in our hands.”

Housby could line up against Swifts teammate Sarah Klau and her comments could help spur Captain Liz Watson said the Diamonds had learnt from the England loss and backed the unity of the team to help Australia through in the final.

“We know our game plan, we know a bit about England,” Watson said.

“But I think just the pure determination and grit of this group.

“We’ve had some incredible Aussie teams come before us and we’ve said, this is our moment, this is our time.

“We get this opportunity to play the World Cup final and I think that’s going to pump everyone up.

“It’s going to be very, very close and you’ve got to take those moments and margins when you can and really run with them but overall it’s exciting for this group, it’s an honour to be a part of it.

“I think they’re incredible, incredible people. Yes, we’ve had some success over the last 18 months and we still want to keep going with that.”

Australia and England face off in the final at the Cape Town International Convention Centre at 2am AEST.

Fears for Diamonds star amid World Cup final doubts

The Diamonds are sweating on the results of a concussion assessment on Jo Weston before learning whether the key defender will line up in the World Cup final.

Weston suffered a head knock in the opening quarter of the Diamonds’ semi-final win against Jamaica in Cape Town on Sunday morning (AEST), crashing to the floor following a collision that also involved skipper Liz Watson.

While she looked slightly shaken on impact, there were no observed or video signs of concussion following the head impact.

A Diamonds spokeswoman said Weston underwent a sideline assessment at quarter-time and “did not have any symptoms or signs of concussion”.

“She was monitored throughout the match and remained free of symptoms of concussion,” the spokeswoman said.

“She passed a precautionary SCAT (Sport Concussion Assessment Tool) assessment post match.

“As a precaution, she will be reviewed again tomorrow morning to ensure no development of delayed concussion.”

Joanna Weston (L) is a key figure in Australia’s defensive line-up. Picture: Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images

Weston had a key gain in the Diamonds’ 57-54 win against the Sunshine Girls and her work in concert with Courtney Bruce helped put massive pressure on Jamaican captain and shooter Jhaniele Fowler, who finished her 100th Test with an uncharacteristic four turnovers.

The Melbourne Vixens defender won a place in the starting seven ahead of Sarah Klau, who was injected into the game late in the third term, with Weston returning early in the fourth and playing a key role in the win.

While the Diamonds have depth, with Klau and Sunday Aryang both having started matches alongside Courtney Bruce, they will not want to be without Weston, who has been in outstanding form this tournament.

Sarah Klau (R) is an option to come in to Australia’s defence. Picture: Getty

Klau is a starting option for coach Stacey Marinkovich against England though, given she is a clubmate of star England goaler Helen Housby at the NSW Swifts and knows her game so well.

Diamonds players are monitored by doctor Laura Lallenec, who is also a member of the World Netball Medical Advisory Panel and while World Netball has a concussion policy in place, Australia has an extra level of scrutiny.

While umpires stopped the match on several occasions during the Super Netball season to remove players for a head assessment, that hasn’t yet happened at this World Cup.

Weston’s assessment was performed independent of any requirement from match officials.

If Weston has developed any concussion symptoms, the Diamonds would be able to request her replacement by one of the travelling reserves, most likely Ruby Bakewell-Doran.

Originally published as Netball World Cup final 2023: Australia v England, Jo Weston available