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The head of international netball has conceded there should not be one-sided quarter-finals in the World Champs following an outspoken attack by Australian coach Norma Plummer.
Plummer argued the top four teams should all play each other before the semi-finals stage.
International Federation of Netball Associations president Molly
Rhone responded today, saying the body will be prepared to consider a different format in the future.
Rhone says it is a concerning to look at the gap between the top four teams and the other four teams who made the quarter-finals.
However she said there are mismatches in every sport, and there is no easy solution.
Plummer yesterday slammed the championship tournament after her side's quarterfinal stroll against the Cook Islands.
The Aussies monstered their opponents 90-22 in a one-way game and the manner of Australia's destruction of a valiant but ultimately doomed opponent left Plummer asking questions.
"I would have expected going into the top eight we would have had a harder game," she said after the match.
"I really think the draw needs to be looked at so the top four get to play one another and we have a competition that's extending everyone and the true winner would come out of that."
Plummer said it was possible the Cooks were conserving energy and players for tomorrow's game against Malawi in the fifth to eighth place play-offs.
Australian captain Liz Ellis said although a tougher match would have been better preparation for today's semifinal against England, the team had achieved their goals from yesterday's play.
"We set ourselves challenges all the way through, and what was really important for us today was that we were able to change the game up.
"It's not so important to rack up the goals as it is to make sure you're achieving what you want through the game."
Ellis said she was happy with the team's performance.
"There are things we could have done better, but it's hard to be too picky."
Australia were too strong in all areas of the court, from the defensive circle, where Ellis was at her menacing best, through the midcourt controlled by the von Bertouch sisters Laura and Natalie, to the shooting circle, where Catherine Cox and Sue Pratley formed a lethal combination.
The Australians had 27 shots at goal in the first quarter and missed two. The Cook Islands' Anna Andrews and Patti Te Huna worked diligently but managed only six from 10 attempts, giving the Australians a 25-6 lead at the end of the first quarter.
Some suffocating midcourt defence brought a constant supply of ball into the Australian circle, whereas the Cook Islanders had to battle to clear every pass.
The second quarter was even harder work for the Cook Islanders as the Australians drove into the ball and picked up intercepts at will for their shooters to convert.
Cox finished with 25 from 28 and Pratley 23 from 25 and Australia led 46-12 at halftime.
Plummer again used her bench freely at the break, bringing on Sharelle McMahon at goal shoot and Natalie Medhurst at goal attack, benching Natalie von Bertouch for Lauren Nourse and slotting Bianca Chatfield in at goal defence for Mo'onia Gerrard.
The changes boosted the Australian effort even further, as the Cook Islands wilted in the third quarter, and managed only two goals to Australia's 25.
Plummer again juggled her team in the last 15 minutes. Chatfield moved to goal keep, Gerrard went back at goal defence and Natalie von Bertouch returned to centre.
ENGLAND 81
MALAWI 37
England are bullish ahead of their world championship semifinal against Australia tonight.
They took their place in the last four with a routine 81-37 duffing of Malawi at the Trusts Stadium yesterday to set up a clash they've been preparing for all year.
Superior speed, agility and experience got the job done, although coach Margaret Caldow thought England had been "a bit lacklustre".
Malawi began well, but England eased clear late in the first quarter and despite some sloppy work in the early stages of the second quarter, steadily pulled away.
Telescopic arms plucked intercepts out of the air in the defensive third and slick work ensured plenty of chances for the shooters, although neither Pamela Cookey nor Louisa Brownfield - 40/49 and 34-41 - will be satisfied with their numbers.
England led 46-14 at halftime and although Malawi closed the gap during the second spell they were always playing for pride.
"Sometimes it's hard when you've got that big of a lead to keep yourselves motivated. We'll need to lift another level tomorrow," said Caldow, an Australian whose England contract ends this week.
England was a player short for several minutes in the first quarter after centre Jade Clarke took a bang on the head.
Caldow believes England are as ready as they'll ever be to tackle the formidable Australians.
"All the players are moving quite well, they're all on form, it's just a matter of what combination we decide to put out. We're ready."
Captain and wing attack Karen Atkinson backed Caldow's assessment.
Netball England has spared no expense getting the squad up to somewhere approximating the fierce pace set by New Zealand and Australia at the top of the world game. The proof of what's been achieved will be seen tonight.
"We have played against their style a lot this year," said Atkinson.
"We've done a lot of research on them so I think we're as prepared as we'll ever be."
- NZ HERALD STAFF, NZPA
AUSTRALIA 90 COOK ISLANDS 22
