Fiji netball coach Kate Carpenter says a slow start proved costly to their final placing at the Netball World Cup.
The Pearls lost to Wales and Uganda in their first two matches of the tournament before stringing together five wins in their final six matches to end up in eleventh place, four below their current world ranking.
A shock defeat by Pacific rivals Samoa provided further disappointment before the team ended on a positive note with a 51-41 victory over Scotland.
Kate Carpenter says Fiji's tournament was very up and down.
"Some of the teams that would have finished higher [than us in the World Cup] - seventh and eighth - really haven't had a win since the pool matches. I think the learning from this for us is sure [we are] disappointed that we are outside our target [of a top eight finish] and then again outside the top ten but also some very positive things: the ability to close out close matches, the development within the side, the realisation that we have to be more consistent in internationalm games and how different playing styles and different umpiring interpretations all have a part to play".
Fiji in action against Scotland at the Netball World Cup in Sydney. Photo: Netball World Cup 2015 SYDNEY
