Kia ora and welcome to Newshub's live coverage of the Silver Ferns' World Cup opener against Trinidad and Tobago in South Africa.
The Ferns are hotly favoured to record a resounding win against the women from the Caribbean, who will provide little more than an opportunity for them to get their match legs underneath them and allow Dame Noeline Taurua to test some combinations.
Led by captain Ameliaranne Ekenasio, the team are attempting to become the first in NZ history to defend the World Cup.
TAB betting odds: New Zealand - $1.001 Trinidad and Tobago - $101
Squads:
New Zealand: Ameliaranne Ekenasio, Grace Nweke, Te Paea Selby-Rickit, Maia Wilson, Gina Crampton, Maddy Gordon, Kate Heffernan, Whitney Souness, Karin Burger, Kelly Jury, Phoenix Karaka, Jane Watson
Trinidad and Tobago: Alena Brooks, Tia Bruno, Joelisa Cooper, Tiana Dillon, Oprah Douglas, Shaquanda Greene-Noel, Jameela McCarthy, Jeresia McEchrane, Shaniya Morgan, Afeisha Noel, Shantel Seemungal, Daystar Swift, Chantael Perry-McEwan, Jenelle Richardson, Afiya Vincent
Dame Noeline Taurua puts faith in Silver Ferns young guns for World Cup title defence
By Alex Powell
Dame Noeline Taurua is putting her faith in the next generation, backing her young Silver Ferns to shine at this year's Netball World Cup in South Africa.
Four years ago, one of the most capped Silver Ferns sides in history stunned the world to defeat Australia in Liverpool, and gave New Zealand a fifth World Cup crown.
But that side, built around a core of senior players - with captain Laura Langman supported by veterans Maria Folau and Casey Kopua - is a much different outfit than the class of 2023 in South Africa, looking to go back-to-back.
Only six players from 2019's victory have returned four years later, with half of the 12-strong squad tasting a World Cup for the first time.
Shooters Grace Nweke and Maia Wilson, midcourters Maddy Gordon and Whitney Souness, and defenders Kate Heffernan and Kelly Jury make up the newbies, while Tiana Metuarau and Mila Reuelu-Buchanan and Sulu Fiztpatrick are first-timers as travelling reserves.
But among the most influential Silver Ferns coaches in history, Dame Noeline is thinking much further down the track than this year's tournament.
In fact, by selecting such an inexperienced side, the foundation is being laid for future World Cup tilts, Dame Noeline explained.
"That's totally different from what we went into 2019 [with]," Dame Noeline told AM. "We're probably about 380 caps - I think - less than what we had in 2019.
"But what I'm really excited [about] by this squad is that we've built the depth. It's not only about this Netball World Cup, it's two or three cycles we can do. It's really positive.
"Youthful exuberance is what I say. They only know what they know, they go out there and just go with that energy.
"When I look at that, with that youthfulness and the balance of the experience, it's quite a nice chemistry.
"We're not having any excuses at all, but we're ready to get out there."
This year's tournament will also see the Silver Ferns look to win consecutive titles for the first time in New Zealand's history.
As it stands, Australia is the only country to have defended a title - and even won three crowns in a row on two occasions.
And even though the Diamonds are overwhelming favourites to lift a 12th title this time around, Dame Noeline knows what her side is capable of.
"Without saying cheesy things, I think anything is possible," said Taurua. "That's definitely one of our things we have talked about.
"Not necessarily around doing back-to-back, but knowing that the intent is to play to win.
"Every time we do get out on court, that must be the focus, the discipline in and around that.
"Every day is a good day, every game we've got to be better than the previous. Heading towards the business end is really what we want."
The Silver Ferns kick-off their World Cup title defence on Friday night, facing off against Trinidad and Tobago in Cape Town.
