Netball World Cup 2019: Silver Ferns face champions Australia in second stage

New Zealand have progressed through to the Netball World Cup's second round, where they will face archrivals Australia en route to the semi-finals.

The Silver Ferns completed their first round of games with an 89-21 win over Singapore to complete the opening stage unbeaten.

They now take the points from pool wins over Malawi and Barbados into the next phase, where they will also take on Zimbabwe (8pm Monday NZT) and Northern Ireland (Wednesday NZT).

The top two teams from this group will cross over against the top sides from a group that includes England, South Africa and Jamaica.

Against Singapore, the NZ women jumped out to a 20-5 advantage after the opening quarter, scoring the first nine goals of the contest.

Coach Noeline Taurua made plenty of changes throughout, taking the opportunity to test combinations before the tournament reached more competitive games.

Among the more significant changes saw Katrina Rore log three quarters at wing defence and shooter Bailey Mes at wing attack.

New Zealand took the second quarter 23-3 - their most dominant period - with shooters Maria Folau, Te Paea Selby-Rickit and Bailey Mes combining for 43/45 under goal.

Over three quarters, Selby-Rickit emerged as the Silver Ferns' dominant shooter, slotting 37/39, leading a 90 percent shooting return.

"We came out with a few things we wanted to sharpen our swords with and just making sure we played a certain style of the different variations that we can do," said defender Karin Burger.

"We had a really good lead-up into the World Cup, strengthening some of the combinations, and as you can asee from today's match, we've got quite a few variations.

"Depending on who we play against, we can put out the perfect team for that, so we're feeling pretty confident with our performances so far."

New Zealand have outscored their early opponents by an average of 47 points - but defending champions Australia have been even more dominant, overwhelming rivals by 58 points a game.

The tran-Tasman adversaries have contested the last five world finals, with New Zealand winning in 2003, and this draw means that scenario remains a possibility again this time.

But the most significant result in the first round came on Monday morning (NZT), when South Africa upset Jamaica 55-52. 

The Caribbean team are currently ranked second in the world - behind Australia - and many considered them potential finalists for this tournament.

Fifth-ranked South Africa and hosts England now have the inside running for the semi-finals from the other side of the draw.

Newshub.