KEY POINTS:
Before these world championships started, I was nervous. But now I've been there and seen it first-hand, I'm much more confident the Silver Ferns can successfully defend their world title on Saturday night.
I've seen a few chinks in the Australians' armour, particularly in their shooting end, and
the injury to Selina Gilsenan will put a few ripples through their camp. I think if she's not fit to play again at this tournament, that's a huge problem for the Aussies. Selina is a very under-rated player and she's had a slight upperhand over Adine Wilson in their encounters lately, so her injury could really change their defensive end.
Even if she is there for the final, she's there under injury.
Either way, it poses a big challenge for the Australians.
The Ferns will still have to play well and play the best they can, as well as cope mentally in absorbing the pressure, if they're going to win.
Things have been rolling along pretty smoothly so far for New Zealand, and even though people think they looked a little flat against Botswana, those first three pool games are about going through the motions, fine-tuning for the big ones. You can't read much into them, and they know what's ahead of them.
They have another match tonight that will be fairly one-sided again, the South Africans definitely aren't at the strength they have been in past years, but they should put up a good fight.
I think the Ferns will win comfortably, and go into the semis against a Jamaican side, who again aren't as strong as they have been at previous world champs. The Ferns should have no trouble winning that one, and I only see their real challenge coming on D-Day, the grand final, when all will be revealed.
Can they win it? Absolutely. They look positive and, talking to them, they sound positive. Sure, there are a few things they still need to tidy up, but I think they can do it.
I'm certain their opponent in the final will be Australia, even though the English are obviously a lot more confident this time and are definitely backing themselves.
The Aussies are a pretty good machine and I think they would die on court rather than be beaten by the English in the semifinals.
I'm picking Australia to win that match by 10 goals. As for the rest of the tournament, I think it's been very similar to what it always is - you've got the top dogs in New Zealand, Australia, England and Jamaica, realistically the only sides contesting for the podium. The minnow sides are displaying their usual inconsistency at this tournament.
You see them struggle at times, and then pull out some brilliant netball. There's still a lot against them - low funding, less support, not much time together, and that all equates to the way they perform here.
* Belinda Colling captained the Silver Ferns 1997-99
