New Zealand shock hosts and favourites Australia with pulsating win at Netball World Cup

New Zealand claimed a shock victory over hosts Australia at the Netball World Cup ©Getty Images

New Zealand stunned 10-times world champions and hosts Australia with a thrilling 52-47 victory in front of a Netball World Cup record crowd at the Allphones Arena on the Olympic Park in Sydney today.

The Australia Diamonds, the red-hot favourites going into the tournament on home soil, came up against a revitalised Silver Ferns outfit desperate to end a run of 10 straight defeats at the hands of their arch-rivals.

New Zealand signalled their intentions from the outset and led 29-26 at the break, thanks to an excellent opening quarter, and they were then able to open up what proved to be a decisive six-point advantage by the end of the third.

The hosts rallied in the final quarter but could not overhaul the deficit as New Zealand silenced the 16,233 crowd by seeing out a crucial win in their pursuit of a fifth Netball World Cup title, condemning Australia to just their sixth-ever defeat at the event.

The result ensured they claimed top spot in Pool A, relegating the Australians to second place and the home country now have the tricky task of facing world number three England, fifth-ranked South Africa and either Uganda or Wales in the next group phase.

“The win will be huge for our confidence both mentally and physically,” New Zealand captain Casey Kopua said.

“Yesterday [against Trinidad and Tobago] wasn't a great day at the office for myself and also I've had a bit of time, nine months I guess, to get back and have that battle against Australia.”

England ensured they finished at the summit of Pool B by claiming their third straight win with victory over Samoa — England ensured they finished top of Pool B by claiming their third straight win with victory over Samoa ©England Netball

Elsewhere, England rounded off the qualification stage in style as they recorded their third straight win by easing to a comfortable 85-34 success over Samoa to finish at the summit of Pool B.

Following a narrow victory in a hard-fought clash with Jamaica the previous day, the England Roses enjoyed a trouble-free encounter with the Samoans to continue their impressive start to the tournament.

The 2014 Commonwealth Games bronze medallists Jamaica are due to take on Scotland tomorrow, with the winner following England into the second round.

Malawi have also qualified for the next phase with a 100 per cent record as they cruised to a commanding 75-31 victory against Singapore, a result that sees them top Pool C.

In the other match in Pool A, Trinidad and Tobago picked up their first win of the tournament as they beat minnows Barbados 55-39.

Wales booked their place in the last eight, due to begin on Tuesday (August 11), thanks to a 71-44 success against Zambia.

Their final match with Uganda tomorrow will decide who wins the group.