The New Zealand netball team made a solid start to its Commonwealth Games campaign with a 64-51 win against a fast improving Uganda.
New Zealand throughout. Maria Folau shot 22 goals from 22 attempts in the first half before Te Paea Selby-Rickit took the goal attack bib in the second half, netting 13 from 14.
Uganda, who failed to qualify for the Glasgow Games, are now ranked seventh in the world and New Zealand captain Katrina Grant says her team knew Uganda were going to be tough.
She said it had been quite some time since the New Zealanders had watched Uganda play. "They played well and the crowd really lifted them," she said.
Grant was happy enough with the performance, "One game down, six to go. It's a start and we're just going to carry on."
Coach Janine Southby rang the changes, with all 12 players used to help keep the squad fresh over the 10-day competition. It meant eight of the 12 made their Commonwealth Games debut in the match.
New Zealand play Wales tomorrow.
Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games Te Paea Selby-Rickit Maria Folau Katrina Rore Netball
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