Rough Diamonds may have to dial down aggression

THE Diamonds may have to put a lid on their physicality or face the prospect of losing tight contests deeper in the World Cup, as neutral umpires crack down on teams playing on the edge.

Netball’s aggression has reached new heights in the world’s top competitions, particularly Australia’s Super Netball, New Zealand’s ANZ Premiership and England’s Superleague.

But the neutral umpires in Liverpool are not as accustomed to such levels of force, and whistles are already being blown left, right and centre.

All of Australia’s squad play in the highly physical Super Netball league and count physicality as one of their primary strengths.

Yet the defending world champions will have to rein it in if the opening days of competition are anything to go by.

On Friday Uganda were forced to finish almost the entire final quarter of their feisty opening 64-32 defeat to England with six players after Stella Oyella received the first permanent sending off in World Cup history.

The centre was deemed to have hauled Jade Clarke to the ground a minute after returning from the sin bin.

“I actually have never seen someone sent off permanently from a game,” England head coach Tracey Neville said afterwards.

“You have to have sympathy. (Uganda) don’t get out on the international circuit that much and they will learn from that.”

On Saturday the umpire again had a big say in the flow of Australia’s scrappy 73-37 win over Zimbabwe.

Captain Caitlin Bassett in particular attracted a lot of attention, giving away five contact penalties and 10 turnovers despite being named player of the match for shooting 49 from 53 at 92 per cent accuracy.

“It was tough at times but I guess that’s when we really have to take control and realise when the ball is in our hands we have to be really smart and use it,” Bassett said.

Diplomatic coach Lisa Alexander said she would “have a chat” to officials.