Maria Tutaia celebrates the Silver Ferns' win against England. Photo / Getty Images
Maria Tutaia celebrates the Silver Ferns' win against England. Photo / Getty Images
Netball veterans spur on the Silver Ferns in today’s transtasman final.
The Silver Ferns are on the verge of becoming New Zealand's Golden Girls.
And the Casey Kopua-captained netball stars will take to the court against Australia in tonight's World Cup final in Sydney — chasing a rare gold medal — with words of motivation and support from veterans of the last New Zealand team to win the title in 2003.
"Play without fear. Translate the enjoyment you have off the court as a unit and it will come together," Adine Wilson told the Herald on Sunday last night.
In a message to our latest netballing heroes, former defender Vilimaina Davu added: "You've done the preparation, have the belief in yourselves and your skills. You've shown you can win — enjoy it."
The Ferns set-up the transtasman showdown after beating England 50-39 in yesterday's semifinal. Maria Tutaia was again the side's leading scorer, landing 35 of her 42 attempts.
Australia toppled Jamaica 67-56 in their semi.
Kopua said the Ferns' final appearance was the result of dedication and strong team spirit. The squad had also taken inspiration from Brendon McCullum's Black Caps' surge into the Cricket World Cup final.
"We've done all the hard work and we deserve to be in that final," she said. "We're in a really good space, but we still know we have 60 minutes of netball to play. We just have to soak it up and give it all we've got because you don't want to wake up and say, 'Oh I wish I had done that'."
Celebrations at the Auckland FanZone. Photo / Michael Craig
Kopua added of the strong camaraderie within the Silver Ferns. "We love each other's company at the moment."
The World Cup final will begin at 5.10pm, and will be broadcast live on Sky Sport 4.
The AMI Auckland Netball Centre, in St Johns, has also been transformed into the World Cup FanZone for supporters wanting to soak up the fun at home.
Doors will open at 2pm, and fans are able to watch the action from Sydney's Allphones Arena, in the Olympic Park, on two big-screen TVs. An indoor grandstand has been built, and couches and bean bags will be provided.
Former Silver Ferns will also be on hand to give their tips ahead of the final. Yesterday, ex-internationals April Ieremia, Leonie Leaver and Te Aroha Keenan were at the fan zone.
So too were hundreds of hyped-up fans intent on cheering on the Silver Ferns.
Auckland Netball marketing manager Elsa Waldin said the FanZone had been a huge success.
It was now hoped it could be transformed into a netball party central after tonight's final.
