New Zealand advanced to the semifinals of the world youth netball championships after a clinical 97-19 win over Malaysia in Cardiff yesterday.
It was a consummate performance from a New Zealand side permitted the luxury of resting three first-choice players - captain Adine Harper, Allison Toi and Jolene Henry - for
the second half.
The win sets up a much-anticipated semifinal clash tomorrow morning (NZ time) with Jamaica, who outclassed Scotland 77-18 in their quarter-final yesterday.
For New Zealand, yesterday's win was a timely injection of confidence after two matches in which they were never fully comfortable.
New Zealand coach Georgina Salter made four changes to the starting line-up she had used against England and she was prepared to experiment with her combinations, even at the quarter-final stage of the tournament.
New Zealand played an immaculate first 30 minutes, marked by strong defensive pressure, which created a multitude of turnovers.
They converted that possession into points with flowing full-court movement and accurate finishing.
Goal-shoot Jodie Te Huna took advantage of the considerable height advantage she had over her marker to score 63 of New Zealand's points from 77 shots at goal, for a success rate of 82 per cent.
Te Huna was one of four shooters Salter used during the match.
Harper shot 14 from 19 for 77 per cent, substitute Daneka Wipiiti converted 15 from 20 for 75 per cent, and fourth-quarter goal-attack Angelina Yates landed five from nine.
During one period of the first half New Zealand scored 28 unanswered goals to lead 41-3.
They went to the break 55-7 ahead, and Salter took the opportunity to use players in alternate positions and rest her first team trio.
The other semifinal will pit top seeds Australia against England, who finished strongly to beat South Africa 60-28. Australia qualified for their semifinal by beating Wales 83-19.
The top four teams have a rest day today, with the other eight sides in two pools of four battling it out for the minor spots.
- NZPA
