Netball

The two sides were level pegging throughout the match with the world number one Australians only pulling away in the last couple of minutes.

Australia led 17-14 at quarter-time, it was level at 30-all at half time and 44-43 to Australia at three quarter time.

Australia shot 88 percent, while Bailey Mes and Ameliaranne Ekenasio shot only 77 percent for New Zealand.

Ekenasio shot 32 goals and Mes 23.

The Ferns had more intercepts and turnovers but were unable to turn that into an advantage on the score board.

RNZ reports a sloppy first quarter by the home side saw the Proteas take a surprise 16-14 lead and forced Silver Ferns coach Janine Southby make two changes to her starting lineup.

New Zealand turned in a much improved second quarter to finally take the lead and go to the halftime break 32-27 in front.

South Africa tried to cling to the Silver Ferns who stepped up the pace in the third quarter to extend their lead to 46-38.

The fourth quarter was dominated by New Zealand who went on to run away with the match by 19 goals, 65-46.

The Samoans achieved their aim of a top ten finish, improving on their World Ranking of 13th.

Marcia Hardcastle says there is no Pacific Series scheduled until 2017 so her focus will be on the next generation.

The Pearls finished third in Pool D which puts them alongside Scotland, Sri Lanka and Barbados in the second round, with a match against winless Sri Lanka later today.

Samoa take on Singapore later this morning as they search for an opening win and have also been drawn alongside Trinidad and Tobago and Zambia.

The team had a day off yesterday and goal-shoot Julianna Naoupu says they just want to get better.

Of the nine netball competitions since the start of the Pacific Games Fiji had won six and have remained unbeaten since 1995.

In 2011, netball was not contested so the sport makes a comeback after a lapse of eight years to the Pacific Games.

For the Pearls, the Pacific Games also provide an opportunity to test themselves as they build up for the Netball World Cup.

Vice-captain Maria Lutua said Fiji was going for gold.