KEY POINTS:
TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO
Once a power in world netball, Trinidad and Tobago are the only team, apart from New Zealand and Australia, to win the World Championships.
All three shared the title in 1979 at Port of Spain.
The Calypso Girls are also the only team, apart from the Silver Ferns, that have beaten Australia at a World Championships: in 1979 (40-38) and 1987 (51-50).
Since then Trinidad and Tobago have fallen off the radar. In the 2003 world champs they failed to finish in the top eight. The team for these world championships include two newcomers, defender Kemba Duncan and shooter Joelisa Cooper.
They will line up alongside the experienced Rhonda John-Davis, Simone Morgan, Janelle Barker and Lystra Zamore. The team also have a major asset in assistant coach Sharon Finnan who was a member of Australia's winning teams in 1991 and 1999.
Team: Rhonda John-Davis, Janelle Barker, Joelisa Cooper, Tricia Liverpool, Natalie Pierre, Crystal-Ann George, Anika La Roche, Garbrel Selman, Lystra Zamore, Anastacia Wilson, Kemba Duncan, Simone Morgan.
Colours: Red, white and black.
* * *
COOK ISLANDS
The Cook Islands are determined to regain the top eight status they achieved at four world championships before their disappointing 11th placing in 2003.
Coached by former Silver Fern Ana Noovao, the Cook Islands team contain mostly New Zealand-based players.
They are led by powerful mid-courter Ritua Petero, a member of the 1999 Cook Islands world championship team, and Angela Tangimetua, who was top shooter at the 1995 world tournament.
Also in the team are Wellington's Paula Te Huna, Anna Andrews, Celeste Brunton and Darcel Daniels. Te Huna's sister Patti, a member of the North Harbour performance programme, has also made the squad along with young North shooter Jacqueline Tate.
Team: Ritua Petero, Angela Tangimetua, Claresta Andrew, Anna Andrews, Celeste Brunton, Darcel Daniels, Kiri Kaumoana, Margarette Nena, Jacqueline Tate, Sheena Tavioni, Patti Te Huna, Paula Te Huna.
Colours: Green and white.
* * *
SINGAPORE
Coached by New Zealander Kate Carpenter, who will coach the Central franchise in next year's Tasman Trophy, Singapore have their sights set on a top 10 world ranking.
They might just achieve their goal. Fresh from defending their 5 Nations Cup title in September Singapore beat tenth-ranked Trinidad and Tobago twice.
The side have plenty of talent throughout the court, with long-time defenders Jean Ng and Premila Hirubalan survivors from Singapore's 1999 world championships side at one end and 1.88m former basketballer Li Ling in the shooting circle.
Team: Pearline Chan, Wendy Tan, Charlene Porima, Vanessa Lee, Li Ling, Jeanine Heng, Chen Huifen, Tan Huiyan, Zhang Ting Jun, Jean Ng, Premila Hirubalan, Lin Qing Yi.
Colours: Red and white.
* * *
SOUTH AFRICA
The South Africans are a team desperate to restore some pride. After finishing runners-up to Australia in 1995, the South Africans have failed to make the top four in the last two tournaments finishing fifth in 1999 and 2003.
Under the guidence of new coach Burta de Kock, the South Africans are hoping to improve on those performances but losses to Malawi at the COSANA and Commonwealth Games, and a 3-0 series loss to fourth ranked England in January this year indicate they have a hard road ahead.
The side is led by mid-courter Bronwyn Bock-Jonathon, who has returned after a lengthy four year absence following a major knee injury.
The side includes shooter Sindisiwe Gumede, defenders Leigh-Ann Zackey and Karin Venter and Adele Niemand who were part of the seventh-placed 2006 Commonwealth Games team.
Team: Bronwyn Bock-Jonathan, Karin Venter, Claudia Basson, Erin Burger, Sindisiwe Gumede, Simnikwe Malusi , Christine Markgraaff , Tsakane Mbewe, Refiloe Mochaka, Precious Mthembu, Adele Niemand, Leigh-Ann Zackey.
Colours: Green, yellow and white.
* * *
MALAWI
They may not be one of the big names in world netball, but Malawi are certainly a team that everyone is keeping an eye on. Malawi first competed in the world championships in 1995.
They also competed in the 1999 championships, for a best result of eighth.
They go into this tournament unranked because they did not participate in the last world championships in Jamaica.
Despite that, Malawi's credibility comes from their performances over the past year.
They won the COSANA Games, 2006, defeating South Africa 37-35 in the final and finished sixth in the Commonwealth Games at Melbourne where they also defeated South Africa.
A recent three test series against South African was drawn (won 1, drew 1, lost 1).
While they will never break any speed records in the way the play the game, the Malawi players are athletic and very good at looking after the ball - which makes them a frustrating opponent.
Team: Mary Waya, Peace Chawinga, Linda Magombo, Sylvia Mtetemera, Esther Nkhoma, Annie Kapatuka, Emma Mzagada, Ester Kayira, Caroline Mtukule, Beatrice Mpinganjira, Ruth Kaipa, Merenia Gedion.
Colours: Red, green and black.
* * *
SAMOA
Ranked sixth, the Samoans are coached by former Silver Fern Linda Vagana and Waitakere City coach Sheryl Hyndman.
Made up of mostly New Zealand based players, the Samoans will be pushing for a place in the top four.
They appear to have talent spread through the court.
In the shooting circle, they can call on the services of former Magic player Anna Senio and powerful Force shooter Catherine Latu.
In the midcourt they have Frances Solia and Geraldine Solia while on defence there is promising youngster Brooke Williams.
Their buildup to the championships stuttered when they sustained an upset loss to Fiji in the South Pacific Games, and Samoa will not be happy unless they complete the tournament having moved up in the rankings.
Team: Caroline Ah Chong, Faamamalu Barbara Faasavalu, Opheira Harder Karatau, Grete Liuaanam, Gerardine Solia, Sose Tavae, Monalisa Tofilau , Anna Senio, Catherine Latu, Lee Edwards, Frances Solia, Brooke Williams.
Colours: Blue
* * *
FIJI
Former Silver Fern Vilimaina Davu took on the task of coaching Fiji late last year, but last week selected herself to take the court again for her third world championship.
While the powerful defender has had minimal time with the team she seems to have made an impact as the side scored a confidence boasting win over Samoa in the South Pacific Games.
Also helping the side was former Australian shooter Anne Sargeant.
The squad includes former North Harbour players Matelita Shaw and Matila Waqanidrola.
Also in the squad are Mere Rabuka , who will captain the side, and Majorie Parr who competed in the last world champs.
Fiji, now with Elizabeth Freeman as coach, and, like their Pacific Island neighbours Samoa, they will be looking to push for a semifinal spot.
Team: Talei Bari, Taraima Rara, Matelita Shaw, Laniana Tuisasa, Maria Bereso, Ana Erenavula, Simone Nalatu, Aliti Seru, Mere Rabuka, Majorie Parr, Matila Waqanidrola, Vilimaina Davu.
Colours: Navy, aqua and white.
* * *
WALES
The Welsh team's preparation for the world championships has included victories over Scotland and the England Under-21 and England Talent teams, before a 40-50 defeat by Team Bath in September.
Fourteenth at the 1999 and 2003 World Championships, they meet New Zealand, Malawi and Botswana in pool games.
The team is led by powerful defender Ursula "Billy" Pritchard, captain of England's 2006 and 2007 Superleague champions Team Bath.
She is their most experienced player, having attended two Commonwealth Games and two World Championships.
Eight other Welsh players took part in the 2007 Superleague: Sophie Baxter, Shenaide Blucher, Sara Hale, Anna Mayes, Bianca Modeste, Cara-Lea Mosely and Amanda Trounce (Celtic Dragons), and Rebecca James, a member of the Loughborough Lightning squad.
Team: Ursula Pritchard, Bianca Modeste, Sara Hale, Stephanie Williams, Beverley Lovatt, Anna Mayes, Amanda Trounce, Sophie Baxter, Amanda Evans, Rebecca James, Shenaide Blucher, Cara-Lea Mosely.
Colours: Red and white.
* * *
SCOTLAND
Scotland have competed at every World Championships since 1963 and arrive in Auckland after beating Northern Ireland 47-43 and losing to Wales 37-41 in last year's European qualifying tournament.
Host of the 1987 world championships, Scotland have an all-time best placing of sixth, last achieved in 1983.
Captain Lesley MacDonald, Claudia Henison and Gail Higgins played at the 1999 and 2003 champs, while coach Anne Clark also prepared the 1991 and 2003 teams.
Team: Lesley MacDonald, Karin Connell, Claire Cooper, Lesley Anne Dall, Anna Ferguson, Morag Fraser, Carlene Hamilton, Claudia Henison, Gail Higgins, Sharyn Lyon, Hayley Mulheron, Lisa Vosti Harper.
Colours: Purple, navy and white.
* * *
BARBADOS
Barbados have three top-eight placings from five appearances at the world championships, with a best of sixth at Glasgow in 1987.
They have a relatively young team to fulfil their aim of matching or improving their current world ranking of seven.
Only Don Small (107 caps) and Kizzy Marville have World Champs experience, but Coleen Griffth, Laurel Browne and the mother-daughter pair Jacqui Browne and Samantha Browne have represented their country at senior level in the past four years. Shooter Nikita Piggott returns after three years.
Among the five making their international debuts, Tricia Briggs has switched from shooting to defending in the circle, and Therese-Rea Clarke continues a family record of sporting achievement. She is the daughter of late West Indies cricketer Keith Boyce.
Team: Natasha Bridgeman, Tricia Briggs, Jacqueline Browne, Laurel Browne, Samantha Browne, Therese-Rea Clarke, Colleen Griffith, Kizzy Marville, Nikita Piggott, Lisa Puckerin, Don Small, Sabrina Smith.
Colours: Gold and blue.
* * *
MALAYSIA
Malaysia qualified for their sixth world tournament by finishing second at the Asian Netball Championships, in 2005. They were beaten twice by Singapore, 44-55 and 39-53, but defeated Sri Lanka and Thailand.
Since then, however, Malaysia's Under-21 team, including top shooter Aruna Santhappan, won the Asian Youth Championships held in India last year. Along with Nur Ezzaini Mohd. Nor and Norhayati Saaidon, Santhappan plays for the Arowanas team in Singapores Super League.
The senior side competed in this years Arafura Games, narrowly losing the bronze medal match, 26-27 to the Australian Defence Organisation team.
Team: Yap Suo Kuen, Hasliana Jamian, Puah Pei San, Saidatul Erni Saiful Bahari, Noorrul Afniza Ahmad Jamaludin, Aruna Santhappan, Nur Ezzaini Mohd Nor, Norhayati Saaidon, Aziemah Abdul Aziz, Siti Sri Dalimah Suhaimi, Sarah Shahida Abdullah Wawi, Fazira Mesnan.
Colours: Blue and yellow.
* * *
BOTSWANA
Joe Makakaba returns to coach the side that he led to a bronze medal, and world championship qualification, at the 2006 COSANA games.
The team for Botswana's world championship debut is a mixture of youth and experience. Young shooter Tebogo Radipotsane made her mark on the world stage at the 2005 World Youth Cup in Florida, where she finished as the fourth best shooter at the tournament, with 86 pe rcent accuracy.
Shooter Violet Moabi, midcourter Selebaleng Modise and defenders Kelebogile Mangole and Kagisano Mawela are among the experienced members of the side.
Team: Kelebogile Mangole, Kagisano Mawela, Vilolet Moabi, Mmaneke Kelebogile Mocuminyane, Selebaleng Modise, Botlhale Moeng, Tebogo Radipotsane, Rosinah Ramaja, Portia Rasekhumba, Thulaganyo Retshabile, Ponatshego Setshabelo, Gagotheko Tshelametsi.
Colours: Blue, white and black.
