All 12 of the New Zealand team got a taste of the action before halftime arrived.
"In patches, I think we did our job really well, and I was proud of what we put out. But in other patches, I think we could have been better in being a little more clinical and more controlled with ball in hand — but it’s good to get the first one out of the way," Silver Ferns captain Ameliaranne Ekenasio said.
Kate Heffernan got the start at centre, while Karin Burger (wing defence), Phoenix Karaka and Kelly Jury made up the defence line.
The defence end was in the action from the outset, forcing a flurry of turnovers in Trinidad and Tobago’s attacking third where all New Zealand de-fenders got their hands on intercept possession.
On attack, the Silver Ferns were seamless in mixing patience with effective ball placement to provide the flow. The transitional play was particularly eye-catching, with a speedy and accurate delivery from one end to the other.
Goal attack Ekenasio played a roving role in and around the circle, while the feeding of Heffernan and Gina Crampton provided a steady supply of ball into the reliable hands of shooter Grace Nweke.
The tone was set when the New Zealanders scored the first nine goals without reply.
After a rampant opening 15 minutes, the Silver Ferns went to the first break with a handsome 23-2 lead, Nweke converting all 19 of her attempts.
New Silver Ferns personnel helped maintain a high-scoring rate during the second spell, Maia Wilson picking up where Nweke left off to slot 16 from 16 shots.
Finding their feet against an unfamiliar style, Trinidad and Tobago showed more purpose, with shooters Joelisa Cooper and Afeisha Noel flawless under the hoop. Wing attack Shantel Seemungal was also a lively presence.
The Silver Ferns took a 43-11 lead into the main break before Trinidad and Tobago rebounded somewhat.
The play-making Cooper and her shooting partner Noel were entertaining contributors as the underdogs pulled out the stops under the hoop.
The Silver Ferns tested combinations and personnel, including playing Jury in the unfamiliar role of wing defence, as they went to the last break holding a 58-20 advantage and finished with a strong final quarter.
Burger, with six intercepts, and Karaka, four, were standouts at the defence end, while all four shooters had impressive returns.
The Silver Ferns will play Uganda today at 7pm.
Netball World Cup
The scores
New Zealand 76
Grace Nweke 31/31, Maia Wilson 22/24, Te Paea Selby-Rickit 15/19, Ameliaranne Ekenasio 8/9.
Trinidad and Tobago 27
Afeisha Noel 16/17, Joelisa Cooper 11/11.
Quarter scores: NZ 23-2, 20-9, 15-9, 18-7.
