Kate Heffernan (left) produced an eye-catching display on both sides of the ball. Photo / Photosport
Goal shoot Grace Nweke produced 52 goals at 91%, dominating in-form England defender Funmi Fudoju. Goal attack Georgia Heffernan – cleared to play after an ankle injury against Wales – delivered a composed nine goals at 90%, plus 17 feeds.
Wing attack Maddy Gordon’s eye-catching feeds into Nweke were supported by Mila Reuelu-Buchanan’s best performance at wing defence, highlighted by two crucial second half turnovers.
On Sky Sport, vice captain Kate Heffernan said everyone nailed their jobs from the beginning.
“We talked about how important it was to get on top of England early, and I think we did that really well.
“It’s a massive game, playing in a Commonwealth Games semi-final. We were definitely nervous, but we talked about turning those nerves into something amazing out there, and I think we did. I’m just so proud of the group.
“Everyone stepped up massively. Our attack end, Georgia, Maddy. Grace was so dominant, and then Mila is an absolute mongrel on defence with Karin and Kelly picking up the scraps and being so dominant in the back. Couldn’t have asked for a better all-round performance.”
“We knew we had it in us,” said Jackson. “We felt really confident going into the match. Not cocky, confident in our abilities.
Ferns defenders Karin Burger (left) and Kelly Jackson forced England to shoot from wide in the circle early. Photo / Photosport
“We wanted to keep to our structures, our classic zone defence. They’re a quality side, they’ve got lots of experience. We knew they’d have the crowd behind them.
“It’s a win in itself to silence this crowd.”
New Zealand exploded out of the gates with a barnstorming opening quarter. Kate Heffernan forced an immediate turnover with a deflection on England’s centre pass. Roses goal attack Lois Pearson struck back for England on the next possession, picking off a soft Karin Burger pass.
Some energetic Roses defence saw the Silver Ferns concede an offside penalty in the attacking third, but Heffernan pulled off another turnover in reply.
Jackson’s trademark lean saw England goal shoot Liv Tchine miss a rare shot, then minutes later, the goal keep expertly sold a Tchine push to secure another turnover. New Zealand opened a six-goal lead, and Tchine was subbed off for Eleanor Cardwell.
Jackson and Kate Heffernan continued to put Cardwell and England centre Imogen Allison under immense pressure defensively, while Gordon and Georgia Heffernan’s feeds into Nweke were clinical.
England brought on Amy Carter at centre for the second quarter, forcing a reshuffle of their lineup. The adjustment worked defensively. The increased pressure from the Roses meant patience became key for New Zealand’s attack. Instead of forcing long feeds as they did in pool play, they worked to find the circle edge, and Nweke was an ever-reliable target.
Ferns shooter Grace Nweke dominated in-form England defender Funmi Fudoju. Photo / Photosport
Cardwell conceded offensive contact on Burger, giving the Ferns a chance to stretch the advantage. Kate Heffernan continued to wreak havoc in the midcourt, and the lead crept out to eight.
However, two miscommunications between the Kiwi centre and Gordon saw England get an opportunity to tighten proceedings. The Roses never looked comfortable, with Cardwell losing the ball between her legs and Jackson pinching it back.
England benefitted from an umpiring blunder when Allison deflected the ball out but was given the throw-in. The crowd really found its voice as the Ferns struggled to make inroads up the court’s centre.
Cue Jackson. The goal keep nullified the Roses’ momentum with yet another deflection, and Gordon floated in a beautiful feed to Nweke, who converted.
The Kiwi goal shoot missed her first shot of the night on the following play, which would have put New Zealand up by seven. Instead, Francesca Williams won the rebound, the second quarter finished 13-13, and the Ferns took a five-goal lead into halftime, 29-24.
Silver Ferns coach Dame Noeline Taurua’s side produced their most clinical performance of the Commonwealth Games 2026. Photo / Photosport
New Zealand went up another gear in the third quarter. Georgia Heffernan’s long-range feed into Nweke was followed by Mila Reuelu-Buchanan’s first deflection. Cardwell was then penalised for a three-second violation, courtesy of Jackson and Burger’s relentless movement in the circle.
The Roses brought Sasha Glasgow into goal attack and shifted Pearson to wing attack. A Ferns error off their centre pass handed England possession, but a hyped-up Reuelu-Buchanan picked off another loose pass.
The two sides went blow-for-blow for the rest of the quarter, but England failed to offset New Zealand’s hot start. The Ferns took the third stanza 17-13 for a 46-37 lead heading into the final quarter.
Reuelu-Buchanan continued her hot streak with a turnover off England’s first centre pass of the fourth stanza. Gordon delivered another superb feed to Nweke, and within minutes, New Zealand’s lead was 14 after a 7-2 start.
The match was effectively over four minutes into the fourth, and the subdued noise levels of the English crowd indicated as much. Dame Noeline Taurua had the luxury of introducing Walmsley at goal attack for some valuable minutes in a pinnacle semi-final.
The gold medal match is at 12am Monday morning.
New Zealand earlier moved through pool play unbeaten after wins against Scotland, Jamaica, Uganda, Wales and Trinidad & Tobago.
The success comes against the backdrop of continued turmoil for the ANZ Premiership, with Netball New Zealand yet to confirm a domestic competition for next year.
Nathan Limm has been a journalist with Newstalk ZB and the NZ Herald since 2020. He covered the Netball World Cup in Cape Town in 2023, hosts The Big League Podcast and commentates rugby and netball for Gold Sport.