Sky Sports Netball analyst Tamsin Greenway reflects on England’s 2-1 home series loss to New Zealand and the frustrations the Vitality Roses will carry forward.
New Zealand opened the three-Test Vitality Netball International Series with a 61-58 win over England at the Copper Box Arena. England responded by winning the second Test by the same 61-58 score to level the series, but the hosts fell 55-49 in the deciding match at Manchester’s AO Arena as errors and unsettled combinations cost them.
“Last night was a real tricky defeat for England,” Greenway said. She noted England had “real opportunities, real moments to take that game” in the decider but failed to convert chances. England started the third Test strongly—taking the first quarter—but “just weren’t able to push on in any key areas.” Statistically the teams had been extremely close across the first two matches, with margins of two to three percent in key percentages, making the series a fine coaching and tactical battle.
A key difference in the decider, Greenway observed, was stability: New Zealand made no changes across the game, whereas England rotated almost every position across the four quarters, “which meant they never felt settled.” That instability, she said, left the match “there for the taking” but ultimately out of England’s grasp.
Despite the disappointment, Greenway urged England to take positives into their next block of internationals as they build toward the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow in July 2026. England are ranked fourth in the world; New Zealand second. “This is an international season now that’s going to take them up towards the Commonwealth Games,” she said, adding that exposure to world-class opposition is vital for this relatively young Roses group.
She highlighted individual positives: captain Fran Williams led by example, Helen Housby returned to top form and earned player-of-the-match honours in Test two, and Jaz Brown is emerging in the goalkeeper role. Greenway insisted there were “huge positives” across the three games, but the team will be “gutted” not to have closed out the series.
Looking ahead, England travel to Jamaica for a four-Test Horizon Series in December—two away fixtures on December 6 and 7 in Kingston, followed by two home Tests at the Copper Box Arena on December 13 and 14—before hosting South Africa in January and returning to the Super League season. Jamaica are ranked third; Greenway suggested England must aim to win that series, especially if Jamaica are not at full strength, as it offers head coach Jess Thirlby a chance to test combinations and cement key units and a preferred style of play ahead of the major tournaments next year.
Vitality Netball International Series vs New Zealand
– Sat Nov 15, Copper Box Arena, London: England 58-61 New Zealand
– Sun Nov 16, Copper Box Arena, London: England 61-58 New Zealand
– Wed Nov 19, AO Arena, Manchester: England 55-49 New Zealand
Vitality Netball Horizon Series in Jamaica
– Sat Dec 6: Kingston, Jamaica — Jamaica vs England (TBC)
– Sun Dec 7: Kingston, Jamaica — Jamaica vs England (TBC)
– Sat Dec 13: Copper Box Arena, London — England vs Jamaica, 2.15pm
– Sun Dec 14: Copper Box Arena, London — England vs Jamaica, 2pm
Times subject to slight change due to broadcast requirements.