Fiji Netball coach, Vilimaina Davu walked off the court yesterday oblivious to the magnitude of Fiji's historic loss to the Cook Islands at the World Netball Championship.

In a year where little could go right for Fijian netball, the 36 goals to 42 defeat signaled the first time Fiji has missed out on the top eight at the championships.

But Davu, a star of the Silver Ferns victory in 2003, did not realise it was all over for Fiji.

Speaking to NZ Herald in New Zealand, Davu said we are making it hard for ourselves but hey, we've got another game tomorrow. She said Fiji can still make the top eight after their crunch final pool game.

It wasn't until another Fiji team member later explained that yesterday's game was a playoff for places nine to 16, the reality of their fate hit Davu. NZ Herald summed it by saying "What a slap in the face it was for Davu".

Fiji will now play Scotland in the bottom-half of the playoff's today at 5:10pm. The winner will then get a chance to play for the 9th to 10th position.