Fiji's netballers admit expectations are building at home as the countdown to the world champs in Singapore edge closer.
The Pacific Island nation is ranked at a lofty fifth in the world, behind the so-called 'big four' of Australia, New Zealand England and Jamaica.
They step up their preparations next week with a week-long visit to New Zealand where they'll be playing matches against a series of local teams.
Co-coach Una Rokoura says the matches will give the team more valuable game-time together as they look to further develop their combinations.
She says as Singapore draws nearer they're also having to deal with high expectations from fans.
"They're saying that we can go up to the top four but you know we're going to go into the World Netball Champs and be realistic and, if we play against the top four girls in the world, we are confident that these players are prepared and they've been through a lot with training and then we're going to go into the WNC with a better performance and try and maintain out fifth ranking in the world."
The Fiji netballers leave for Auckland on Sunday.
