What: Fast5 Netball World Series
When: Sat-Sun, 8-9 November 2014
Who: New Zealand, Australia, Jamaica, South Africa, Malawi, England
Where: Vector Arena, Auckland
I can watch it on: Sky Sport
What is Fast5 Netball?:
Often compared to rugby sevens or Twenty20 cricket, the Fast5 Netball World Series is an action-packed two day tournament designed to be more viewer-friendly.
Six teams play a round-robin format with semis and finals being played on Sunday. Each team has five players on the court instead of seven and there are one, two and three-point scoring opportunities – similar to basketball.
Each team nominates a “power-play” quarter when all points are worth double. There are unlimited rolling substitutions and a tied game is decided by a football-style shootout.
What they did last time:
The last Fast5 netball World Series, held in Auckland last year, saw New Zealand give Australia a good old-fashioned spanking, 56-27 in the final. Jamaica claimed bronze ahead of South Africa while Malawi finished fifth and England were dead last.
What you need to know:
The Fast5 Ferns have won the last two World Series as well as two of the first three tournaments which were variations of the current Fast5 format. The only other side to win is England in 2011.
There’s a mixture of youth and experience in the ten player New Zealand squad to be captained by Silver Ferns star Laura Langman. The Aussies are ranked No.1 in the world in regular netball and are keen to capitalise on that dominance this weekend. The Diamonds are on a 19-Test winning streak and are desperate to go one better than last year.
Fun Facts:
Raelene Castle, the Bulldogs’ CEO, was the Netball NZ boss when the Fast5 tournament was introduced. Sticking with NRL, Jamie-Lee Price is a late addition to the New Zealand team after captain Casey Kopua ruptured her patella tendon earlier this month. Jamie-Lee’s dad is former Warriors, Queensland and Kangaroo representative, Steve.
Reasons to watch:
Farewell Irene van Dyk. This will be the veteran shooter’s last ever appearance in New Zealand colours.
Reasons to look away:
The Silver Ferns have been in all sorts recently. They lost a four match Test series to Australia without winning a game before losing to England in the first of a two match series. They won the second and retained the Taini Jamison trophy on goal difference, but if recent form is anything to go by, it could be a long weekend.
Our prediction:
Despite struggling in the longer form of the game, we expect the Fast5 girls will get the job done with a win over Australia in the final.