The Australians may be beatable after all
The World Champions have been thunderous this tournament, dismissing teams left, right and centre, but Day Seven was the day we saw their first flicker of vulnerability. And what a flicker it was.
New Zealand chipped away at the eight goal lead their Antipodean rivals had amassed by the third quarter of their final group game, only to bring themselves within gut-wrenching reach of a draw in the fourth.
The Kiwi’s star shooter Maria Folau promptly missed the equaliser with a second left on the clock.
Australia ran out 50-49 winners. But, for the first time, we saw the chink in their armour. The two sides now head into opposite semi-finals.
Coaches are human too
After a game like that, it’s no surprise New Zealand coach Noeline Taurua’s first word to the journalists waiting for her in the tunnel was a four-lettered one.
“S***,” she said, utterly breathless. “My heart was pounding. I love it. This is what the World Cup is all about. I love games like that. It was great.”
New Zealand had a disastrous time at the Commonwealth Games in Australia last year, coming home without a medal for the first time ever.
They had won two gold and three silver medals in the five previous editions of that tournament.
Time for redemption then.
As Taurua said: “Saturday is a big day for everybody. It’s do, or die.”
Africa are owning this World Cup
The world’s second-biggest continent is dominating this tournament.
South Africa’s victories will see them play in the semi-finals on Saturday.
Uganda, Malawi and Zimbabwe are all guaranteed to finish in the top eight too.
It’s the first time ever that four African sides have finished in the top half of the leaderboard.
Most have punched above their weight, with South Africa and Uganda arriving in Liverpool ranked fifth and sixth in the world respectively.
Malawi were ranked ninth and tournament newcomers Zimbabwe 13.
Serena Guthrie’s dog is crossing borders
There’s more than a little rivalry between Australia and England now, especially after England nicked the champions’ crown at the Commonwealth Games by a single goal on the Gold Coast last year.
But one four-legged netball fan is breaking down barriers between the teams.
Formidable Australian shooting duo Caitlin Bassett and Steph Wood couldn’t resist stopping to pet Guthrie’s dachshund, Bobby, when they passed him outside the England team’s hotel close to the M&S Bank Arena.
Guthrie, whose nickname is Bob, and whose partner is also called Bob, refers to the trio as “All the Bobs”.
We’ll be expecting a dogged display from the England captain in the semi-finals.
Who will England play?
Day Seven was the day we learned who England will play in their World Cup semi-final on Saturday.
They face South Africa tonight at 8pm. The winner will play New Zealand in the semi-final, the loser will meet the reigning World Champions, Australia.
There is next to no daylight between the two teams. South Africa have scored 354 goals from 396 attempts so far this tournament.
England have scored 352 from 394, and both have won all their games.
Whatever you do, don’t miss this one.
