Australia is back on top of the netball world after claiming the 2023 title in Cape Town overnight by humbling England 61-45.
Here are the big talking points of the Diamonds’ comprehensive victory.
Barbs from Rose drove Diamonds
Some thorny comments from English shooter Helen Housby after the Roses beat Australia in the pool stage earlier this week helped propel the Diamonds to World Cup glory, midcourter Ash Brazill revealed after the game.
Brazill, now retired from all forms of netball, said post-game that Housby’s statements about England being stronger and fitter didn’t go unnoticed.
“Everyone loved tagging us in what Helen said (about) how they’re fitter and they’re more energetic than us … and that just got like everything fighting and we really wanted to beat Jamaica, so we could play against these guys again,” the 33-year-old said.
Speaking after Thursday’s one-goal win over the Aussies, Housby, the MVP of that match, not only said the Roses looked the better side but suggested they should have won by more.
“We probably could have been more clinical. We should have come again and probably won by more than one. I think the second half we gave it to them,” Housby said.
In the final, Australia “gave it” to England, in what was a fairytale finish for Brazill.
“The fact that we’ve done it the way we wanted to … the last two games is some of the best netball we’ve played in a long time … I’m just so proud of the girls because it’s taken all 12, the squad, the 22, all of us, to get here.
“The fact we’re standing here, world champions … well, I couldn’t have asked for a better ending,” Brazill said.
Stone-cold Austin shines in final
Coming into the World Cup, 25-year-old Kiera Austin was probably the least-talked-about gaoler of the Australian squad.
Pundits were focused on who should play at goal shooter – Cara Koenan or Sophie Garbin or reserve Donnell Wallam – and if vice-captain Steph Wood would be able to carry the attack line in the absence of Gretel Bueta.
But in the final, gliding across the court just as she’d slid under the radar, it was the Melbourne Vixen who shone, shooting 15/17 and getting a crucial gain after replacing Wood before half-time.
Austin also had 15 centre pass receives, four second-phase receives and an impressive 17 goal assists to Garbin to be named MVP.
“I don’t think I have words,” Austin said post-game. “I’m proud that I could go out there and win it for Australia. We wanted to write our own script and we did.
“It took all 15 of us to come over here to win it. The girls who did it against Jamaica were incredible. Everyone that did it today is also incredible,” she said.
“To have my family here, my dad and partner and sister all watching … I’ll remember it forever.”
Diamonds reinstated as World Champions | 03:09
Thirlby finds pride in silver
Despite England being outclassed in the decider, coach Jess Thirlby said her side had much to be proud of.
“Despite the final result, we absolutely deserved to be there. We had to battle to get there and it’s just proven to us that you’ve got to be able to go again in a big game against the number one and we just fell short,” she said.
“We’re obviously going to be gutted with the losing margin like that in our first final, but (that’s) the difference between a team that has been in 12 of them and a team that have just broken into their first one.
“It’s a tough lesson of course, but over the next three days I’m sure it will sink in, in terms of that history that we made,” Thirlby said.
Shooter Eleanor Cardwell said the side will take away many positives.
