KEY POINTS:
COOK ISLANDS 42
FIJI 36
Fijian coach and goal keeper Vilimaina Davu walked off the court yesterday oblivious to the magnitude of Fiji's historic loss to the Cook Islands.
In a year where little could go right for Fijian netball, the six-goal defeat signalled the first time Fiji has missed out on the top eight at the championships.
But Davu, a star of the Silver Ferns' victory in 2003, didn't realise it was all over for her native side.
"We're making it hard for ourselves but hey, we've got another game tomorrow. We can still make the top eight," she said five minutes after their crunch final pool game.
It wasn't until another Fiji team member later explained that today's game was a playoff for places nine to 16, the reality of their fate hit Davu.
What a slap in the face it was - the first real upset of these championships in front of an overflowing crowd of Auckland's Fijian and Cook Island communities. The back court of the Trusts Stadium was full half an hour before the game began; shut-out fans hung over the top of the bleachers from the court next door.
This was supposed to be Fiji's year to shine in international netball, to host the world tournament for the first time. But the military coup crushed their plans, and forced out players who feared they would be denied entry into the alternate venue, New Zealand.
"Yes it hasn't been easy. But we accept some things have been out of our control," Davu said.
The 11th seeded Cook Islanders danced on court after their come-from-behind victory as if they had won the world title. "For once they listened to me for a full 60 minutes," coach Ana Noovao sighed in relief.
Noovao took a gamble and played Wellington-born defender Paula Te Huna in her first international match, then uncharacteristically stayed true to her starting seven throughout the game. "I saw the invisible thread running through them and I didn't want to break it," she said.
Fiji had the measure of the Cooks for most of the first half, playing a strong driving game from defender Mere Rabuka and Marjorie Parr through to their shooters. But strong defence by keeper Angela Tangimetua forced Fiji into mistakes and had the Cooks one goal up at halftime.
Davu appeared to panic, making changes through the court, including bringing herself on at goal keep, which disrupted the Fijians and allowed Cooks shooter Anna Andrews to open the gap.
Noovao says she is ready to tackle Australia in tomorrow's quarterfinals - a top six finish now their goal.
Meanwhile, Samoa left it till the last 10 minutes to secure their place in the top eight with a thrilling 52-48 win over Trinidad and Tobago.
