2023 WORLD CUP DAY 9 (SEMI FINALS)

Pays not to be ranked 2nd, as end up getting the much harder draw and schedule.

THE SILVER FERNS SHIP SANK THE MOMENT NWEKE WAS RULED OUT OF THE COMPETITION :wacko:

I think Bailey Mes was sorely missed for the ferns!!! Her partnership with Ameliaranne would’ve undeniably been a point of difference for the opposition to think about and she would’ve actually been available at GS. Also should’ve picked Toeava if Gordon was only going to get 5 minutes of game time the entire tournament. Gordon would’ve been better utilised as a reserve.

Thought I’d never say this but I think it is time for DMT to move on. Too much trying to “think outside of the box” instead of trying to win. All these quad-series, Con Cup, CWG, Taini Jamison, lost for nothing as it was all about “Giving people experience”. NWC is not the time to develop a specialist GK as a WD either! wth! DMT in my opinion doesn’t cop enough criticism as other coaches would making the same decisions as she does.

Why wasn’t Souness put into C at some point of the semi?? This past year and a half investing time into her being a C all wasted!!! SF’s talk about the whole 12 getting them over the line but only willing to use 7. Jane Watson should of been put into GD at 3/4 time as well as Souness into C. Heffernan is to hesitant to feed into the circle. And what were these new structures for the ferns??? Passing back to the transverse line every time you hit circle edge??? Finding the body to contact your opposition to then turn and receive ball but getting called for contact???

• This reply was modified 1 year, 2 months ago by silverferns1.
• This reply was modified 1 year, 2 months ago by silverferns1.

Wow, what a pair of semi finals. They were so good to watch.

I think NZ were lucky that England didn’t bring their best shooting game and were down on percentage (although I think Jury also influenced that). The criticism of Wilson later in the game was a bit harsh. I don’t know that TPSR would’ve been the answer. There were times she was a great outlet for them when Ekanasio was well and truly covered and not inserting herself. Also, while Nweke is amazing she would’ve come up against teams that know how to play JFR who is the best in the world. So Nweke is no panacea, but obviously a big loss. It seemed like both coaches were reluctant to make changes, NZ moreso, as it was so tight and pressured.

The Jamaica v Australia game was so tense. Steph Wood was remarkable and she was my POTM by a country mile. I think in a time where GAs are becoming taller and not so traditionally nippy and crafty so showed the worth of that skillset, particularly against defenders that are so aerial.
It seemed like Beckford didn’t play as big a role in this game as she did in the CWG final and that there was more focus on the long ball to JFR.

Wish we also got to watch England take on Jamaica!

Will be interesting to see how much Metcalf is played against Australia. I’m guessing she will start.

As for the umpiring it has been a bit interesting all tournament, but I am also guessing that the umpires, like the players, are fatigued. And at the end of the day the win was there for the taking in both matches.

Netball probably needs to start considering the option of a wider squad (say 15) being used throughout the tournament, and each country naming a match day 12.

I understand why it has not been like this to date, especially because of the (lack of) depth of the minnows but surely it would help with injuries and fatigue.

Hold on, so was Gordon not used even in the earlier, “easier” matches? How odd- even for player rotation?

Taking 3 shooters isn’t a big risk anymore since you can bring in a reserve. Like England are banking on Cardwell and Housby, New Zealand are also banking on Ekenasio and Wilson. NZ should have only taken Ekenasio, Wilson and Nweke and brought in TPSR when Nweke got injured. Making room for Toeava which proved costly (I would rather have Toeava sitting on the bench than Gordon tbh).

World Netball really needs to consider extending the squad to 15 during pool match play and then cut down to 12 during finals.

Not sure squads of 15 are needed. The ability to pick a flexible squad of 12 is part of the coaching skill. The top sides would have no issues filling a team of that size but for teams from around 6 down it would be more difficult depth wise but also may be financially prohibitive. I wouldn’t want to see a move that would broaden the gap between nations even more when we are seeing huge strides from SA, Uganda and Tonga here.