Netball World Cup 2015: Wales eye fifth spot after England loss

England's Geva Mentor (left) and Wales goal shooter Georgia Rowe battle for the ball

Wales Netball are targeting fifth spot at the World Cup in Australia after their 78-33 defeat by England, says coach Trish Wilcox.

It was Wales' second defeat in Pool F after losing 40-68 to South Africa.

Wilcox's side face hosts Australia on Friday with the next stage already on their minds.

"We're going to be going hard for that fifth place and striving to be as high as we possibly can," Wilcox told BBC Wales Sport.

Wales beat Fiji 59-52 before seeing off Zambia 71-44 and Uganda 49-47 in the first pool stage to qualify for the top-eight stage.

That Wales against some of the world's leading nations and Wilcox says her team are enjoying the opportunity to come up against full-time professionals.

Losing to England means Wales are all-but certain to finish in the bottom two in Pool F.

The losers of the match between England and South Africa on Friday will join Wales in the bottom two, as only two teams will head for the semi-finals against rivals from Pool E, which New Zealand are leading.

Wilcox has accepted that Wales are destined for the second-tier play-offs even though they have a mathematical chance of a top-four play-off spot.

She added: "It's tough. We were playing the third [ranked] team in the world [England] and obviously they had a point to prove and came out strong.

"And I thought the girls kept going and kept battling for the four quarters.

"We didn't have a good start. They came out stronger and we were playing catch up then.

"We have to relish these opportunities to play against these top nations.

"We don't get them often so the girls are focusing on improving, being better each time with their personal performances."