Former Silver Ferns captain Adine Wilson thinks the Kiwi netball side has a strong chance of winning the World Cup final against Australia on Sunday morning (NZT).
The Ferns narrowly beat the hosts England in the semifinals to set up the trans-Tasman showdown.
Wilson was playing in the 2003 side which won the World Cup and thinks the 2019 team has some similarities.
"Playing in a World Cup final, there's nothing like that - Australia has only got three players that have played in a World Cup and the Silver Ferns have a lot more," Wilson told Newshub.
"Having four players on the court that each has over 100 caps is huge, just the experience they've all played in World Cups before."
After failing to medal at the Commonwealth games, the Ferns have gone from strength to strength since Noeline Taurua took over.
"It's been amazing, she's only had 11 months with this team you just need to look at their body language the way they speak and the culture," Wilson said.
"That's a big part of it that's changed with Noeline in charge, the belief and the trust that she's bought and they're just oozing confidence - there's something special about this 12."
"The fact that they've got the culture right off the court has made it click on the court and we know Noeline has been great at that in the past.
"That's why players have wanted to come back and rep the Silver Ferns, Casey Kopua and Laura Langman have come back because of loyalty to a coach that they're seeing something special in."
Wilson says Taurua hasn't been afraid to make big calls, which is a big part of why she's been successful so far.
"Noeline has been so clever since she's been at the office - she's tried numerous players in the black dress and given players opportunities," Wilson told Newshub.
"She's dropped people which have been massive calls - she dropped Rore last year - and she has been on fire against England and Australia and I think that's what's been so clever about what Noeline has done.
"She's been a real mastermind and such a clever lady - you just hope all can come together and she can be rewarded."
Wilson thinks the Kiwis have enough to beat Australia and history suggests it will be close - they've met in six finals before with just over two being the average winning margin.
"When the Silver Ferns let the ball go, they are so hard to stop.
"What sets such a massive platform is the defence Jane Watson, Casey Kopua and Katrina Rore they just bought it to England so early on and shook them in their boots and they gave the attackers confidence.
"There's a lot of talk about the pride in the black dress and wow have they done that - we've never seen a Silver Ferns team looking so fit," Wilson told Newshub.
Newshub.
Join us for live updates of the Netball World Cup final between New Zealand and Australia from 3 am on Sunday, July 22.
