But if history has taught the New Zealanders anything, it is that the difference between success and failure can come down to just one or two shots.
That is how it was at the inaugural world championships in England in 1963 when Australia beat New Zealand by a single goal to claim the title.
New Zealand suffered the same fate in Sydney in 1991 and Christchurch in 1999.
And there have been other near misses. A few extra goals here and there and New Zealand could have easily added to its haul of four world titles.
There is ample evidence to suggest the 2011 tournament, which begins with the opening ceremony in Singapore tomorrow, will be every bit as keenly contested. Lucky, then, that New Zealand has two experienced campaigners capable of absorbing the enormous pressure.
The evergreen Irene van Dyk is the past master and was there when New Zealand won the title in Jamaica in 2003.
But Maria Tutaia has emerged from van Dyk's shadow in the past 12 months and stole the limelight during the Silver Ferns' remarkable extra-time 66-64 win against Australia in the gold-medal match at the Commonwealth Games in India last year.
With her heart trying to pound its way out of her chest, she dropped in shot after shot, often from deep in the circle, to help secure the victory.
It was a coming-of-age type of performance which did wonders for her confidence. Equally, though, she now bears the weight of expectation.
"There is alway pressure but it is how you handle it," Tutaia told the Otago Daily Times.
"I tend to not think too much about it. I'm quite a relaxed person on court and just take it a shot at a time. If it doesn't go in, well, I'll get the next one.
"But that performance was career-changing for me, I guess, and it is going to be hard to replicate. But it is good to know I'm capable of that type of performance.
"The only pressure you really have is the pressure you put on yourself."
With Tutaia marking herself out as a potential match-winner, the Silver Ferns' attack looks a far more potent unit. New Zealand has tended to lean on van Dyk for the bulk of its scoring and opted to pick goal attacks who could help get the ball to her.
That meant the top teams were able to concentrate their defensive efforts by double-teaming van Dyk.
"It is key to have two shooters who can turn and shoot," Tutaia said. "That is definitely what we have in the Silver Ferns. And not just with me and Irene - we've got Anna Thompson and Paula Griffin who are just itching to get out there." Sixteen teams will contest the tournament, but only four stand a realistic chance of claiming the spoils, with most picking a New Zealand-Australia final.
"If things go well for us during pool play then we will play England in the semifinal, so we have to get past England before we think about Australia," Tutaia warned.
"Also, Australia has Jamaica in their semifinal and Jamaica are looking extremely hot right now."
The Silver Ferns open their campaign against Fiji on Monday, with further pool games against Wales on Tuesday and Trinidad and Tobago on Wednesday.
The quarterfinals and semifinals are on July 8 and 9 respectively and the final on July 10.
World Cup - Singapore, July 4-11
SILVER FERNS DRAW
- v Fiji: July 4, 7.30pm
- v Wales: July 5, 7.30pm
- v Trinidad and Tobago: July 6, 7.30pm
- Quarterfinals: July 8
- Semifinals: July 9
- Final: July 10
Games live on Sky Sport 3
POOL A:
• Australia, Sri Lanka,
• Northern Ireland, Samoa
Prospects: Australia will be too classy for its pool A opposition and will face a likely quarterfinal match-up with either Malawi or Barbados. Samoa should also make it out of pool play but no further with England its likely quarterfinal opponent.
POOL B:
• New Zealand, Trinidad and Tobago,
• Fiji, Wales
Prospects: New Zealand first, daylight second. The Silver Ferns' big challenge will be to avoid injury and keep players fresh for the later rounds. South Africa shapes as their most likely quarterfinal opponent. Fiji is the next highest-ranked team in the pool but Trinidad and Tobago is capable of reaching the quarterfinals as well.
POOL C:
• Jamaica, Singapore,
• South Africa, Botswana
Prospects: Towering shooter Romelda Aiken should give Jamaica the edge against South Africa. Both sides will make it through to the quarterfinals but the loser will have to play the Silver Ferns. Singapore and Botswana will not be much chop. Their final will be against each other.
POOL D:
• England, Malawi,
• Barbados, Malaysia
Prospects: England has made huge progress in the last four or five years and will win the pool. The only question is who will join them in the next round - Malawi or Barbados? It promises to be one of the more competitive pool games.
