Netball: Feisty Jamaicans first real hurdle for Silver Ferns

By JULIE ASH

Will New Zealand break the hearts of Jamaican fans and knock their beloved "sunshine girls" out of the world championship?

That is the question heading into tomorrow's semifinal clash against home-town favourites Jamaica.

The Silver Ferns and Jamaica are expected to trounce Samoa and Fiji respectively in their quarter-final matches today, setting the scene for a showdown.

The winners will advance to the final where they are expected to meet defending champions Australia, who should cruise past Barbados in the quarter-finals and then England in the semis to complete their dream run to the final.

The worth of the quarter-final matches has been questioned at the tournament. One view is that they should have been scrapped and the top two teams in each pool should have squared-off in the semifinals instead.

Going into the tournament, New Zealand and Australia had plenty of reasons to be wary of Jamaica.

With 3000 rowdy supporters egging them on, Jamaica have proved in the past year or so that they can match it with the best, having beaten New Zealand and Australia.

It has been difficult to gauge the performance of the New Zealanders in this tournament because they have had so many easy games. But after watching Jamaica and Australia square off on Wednesday night, the Silver Ferns should have the skills to end Jamaica's hopes.

To win, New Zealand will need to step up a notch against the physical Jamaicans. They will have to be ruthless - just as Australia were when they played them.

When they met England, the New Zealanders were often seen glaring at the umpires, waiting for them to rule every time they received a bit of a knock.

They have to toughen up. If they get an elbow in the ribs they should forget looking to the umpire for a ruling and give one back, like the Australians do.

The likes of Kathryn Harby-Williams and Sharelle McMahon will walk over anyone to get where they want to be on the court. The New Zealanders have to do the same.

A key factor in beating the Jamaicans will be preventing the ball getting to their towering young shooter Carla Williams.

For this to happen, New Zealand's strong midcourt defence will have to be at its best.

The fitness of captain Anna Rowberry, who has been plagued with a calf strain for most of the tournament, is a concern.

Adine Harper and Temepara Clark have performed outstandingly and are probably New Zealand's strongest combination. However, should something happen to one of them and should Rowberry be unable to take the court at full strength, then New Zealand will be in trouble.

They will also be in trouble if Belinda Colling doesn't step up to the plate. Colling appeared rattled in the match against England, especially after a few calls didn't go her way. She will also have to shoot, as you can bet your last dollar that Jamaica's Casey Evering will have Irene van Dyk covered.

Should Colling falter under pressure, New Zealand will be left to rely on their back-up goal attack Tania Dalton, who has had limited time on court playing alongside van Dyk.

New Zealand's pool matches haven't been a great help in preparing them for this crucial match. While Trinidad and Tobago allowed Australia to test themselves against the Caribbean style of play before meeting Jamaica, New Zealand's pool matches against the likes of Nuie and the Cook Islands have been of little or no benefit.

With a handful of semi-professional basketball players in the side, Jamaica's style is still very aerial and physical, but their skills have improved in recent years, which has helped their rise in the world rankings.

The Silver Ferns are a competent team and to see them exit the tournament before the final would be extremely tough on their supporters.

The ball is now in their court. They know what to expect from the Jamaicans and their supporters.

As coach Ruth Aitken continually says, "It is just a matter of putting it all together on the day."