The Silver Ferns' final pool match ended in disappointment, but it didn't stop fans supporting them to the bitter end.
England won 54-45 this morning, the first time they've come out on top against New Zealand in Commonwealth Games history.
However New Zealand, currently ranked as the second best netball team in the world, should nonetheless progress into the semi finals on percentage, but look unlikely to make the gold medal match given their current form.
Following the Ferns' shock 57-54 loss against Malawi in an earlier pool match, New Zealand's faith in black dress quivered.
"Anytime I've put on the black dress it's a privilege," Maria Folau told 1 NEWS after the game today.
"I'm extremely proud of how our team has faced the scrutiny over the last few days. To know that we've got each other, the twelve of us are extremely tight and know that we believe and honour this black dress means more to us than this loss."
Captain Katrina Grant teared up when asked if there was still pride in the black dress.
"Of course we have pride in this black dress, it means a lot to every single one of us. We were young girls growing up playing netball and this is all we wanted, so there's a lot of pride in this black dress, that’s hard to take."
Today's showing of fans at the Gold Coast Convention Centre quashed any ideas that Kiwis has lost faith in the Ferns.
Carrying flags, wearing black and chanting, New Zealander's spirits never wavered, cheering the girls on every step of the way... even as they came off the court.
Among those fans were a number of Kiwi athletes including flagbearer, and gold medalist Sophie Pascoe, Chef de mission Rob Waddell, and weightlifting gold medalist David Liti.
SHARE ME