The Ferns' sharp slide in form over the past two years, which forced the New Zealand selectors to put a lot of faith in several untested youngsters, has seen the New Zealand side written off as title contenders. With the continued rise of England and Jamaica, many are even predicting the Ferns won't feature in the final.
Silver Ferns defender Leana de Bruin admits it hurts that her side have slipped so far in the public's estimation.
But she says the modest level of expectation on the Ferns in Sydney has released a pressure valve.
While the pressure the team puts on themselves will always remain, being written off by the punters has been liberating as they head into tonight's opening game of the tournament against Barbados.
"In the beginning it did sting a bit that people even in our own country didn't believe in us, and I can see why - we haven't been very successful," de Bruin said. "But I don't think [being an underdog] is a bad thing. People will write you off, but any team is beatable on any day and that's the attitude you've got to go in with."
The veteran defender, who is set to play in a record fifth World Cup, said the team's poor run of results over the past two seasons has not discouraged them heading into the tournament.
"We've had a very disappointing past 12-18 months. You get to the point where the wheel has got to turn some time, and that's probably what drives us, that it will be our time soon.
"There's a good mix of experience and youth and there's a lot of hunger and now it's our time to show the people there is a good reason to believe in us."
England also feel they have a big point to prove in Sydney. The English side have long held a reputation of blowing it on the big stage. That reputation was enhanced several-fold in last year's Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, where they bungled a golden opportunity to beat Australia in pool play, before losing to a severely understrength Ferns side in the semifinals by one goal, after leading by seven heading into the final quarter.
Roses captain Geva Mentor said her side has learnt a great deal from that bitter experience in Glasgow.
"It was heartbreaking the results last year and for us we've never really been in the position before where we've been ahead the whole way through and had to try hold off another team. I think a lot of the girls in this group now have that knowledge and experience of going goal-for-goal and having to try and grind out those wins right in the last dying seconds of the game."
Tracey Neville, who took over the reins of England earlier this year following the shock axing of Anna Mayes, has plumped for experience, picking a virtually identical line-up to that which contested the 2011 tournament in Singapore.
Mentor believes it is the strongest England side she has been involved in since she made her international debut as a 16-year-old.
"Normally we're seen as the underdogs but now we're going into it as title contenders."
While England are considered a strong chance to oust the Ferns from their customary spot in the final, few would back the Roses to topple the rampant Australians at home. They are chasing a moving target in the Diamonds, who believe they are a stronger unit than last year.
But Australian skipper Laura Geitz rejects any suggestion her side will simply waltz their way to their 11th title in 14 championships.
"We know we have to be at our absolute best for every game. There is no side we can afford to take lightly," she said.
The Ferns will get a good early gauge of their progress when they meet Australia in pool play on Sunday.
Everything you need to know about the Netball World Cup
The teams
Australia, New Zealand, England, Jamaica, South Africa, Malawi, Fiji, Wales, Barbados, Trinidad & Tobago, Scotland, Samoa, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Uganda, Zambia.
Past winners
2011 Australia (in Singapore)
2007 Australia (Auckland)
2003 New Zealand (Kingston)
1999 Australia (Christchurch)
1995 Australia (Birmingham)
1991 Australia (Sydney)
1987 New Zealand (Glasgow)
1983 Australia (Singapore)
1979 Australia, New Zealand, Trinidad & Tobago (Port of Spain)
1975 Australia (Auckland)
1971 Australia (Kingston)
1967 New Zealand (Perth)
1963 Australia (Eastbourne)
Silver Ferns pool play matches
Today, 6.50pm: v Barbados
Tomorrow, 3.20pm: v Trinidad &Tobago
Sunday, 4.20pm: v Australia
August 11-14: Qualification round matches *
August 15-16: Play-offs for final placings
* Once round robin play is complete, the top two teams from each of the pools will go through to the top eight, where they will be divided into two pools for qualification round matches. The bottom eight will split off for their own sectional play.
Broadcast details
All the Silver Ferns matches throughout the tournament will be broadcast live on Sky Sport 4 - a dedicated pop-up channel for the Netball World Cup.
