The Diamonds have slipped to defeat of their return to Check netball, dropping 49-44 to New Zealand within the Constellation Cup opener on Tuesday night time.
Key factors:
- Australia’s nationwide netball crew, the Diamonds, have gained the Constellation Cup sequence in opposition to New Zealand seven instances in a row
- Nonetheless the Diamonds have misplaced sport one of many 2021 sequence to the Silver Ferns in Christchurch
- New Zealand led by seven targets at half-time, and though the Diamonds edged the ultimate quarter, the house aspect gained 49-44
Some 492 days since their final outing and simply two days out of quarantine, Australia had been crushed out of the blocks in Christchurch and by no means recovered.
The match was Stacey Marinkovich’s first as Australia coach and the victory will elevate Kiwi hopes of profitable the Cup for the primary time since 2012.
Australia went in with 5 debutants. Kiera Austin began at purpose assault, alongside her former Giants teammate Caitlin Bassett.
4 of the 5 gamers on the bench had been additionally enjoying their first sport for Australia; Sophie Garbin, Kim Jenner, Cara Koenen and Verity Charles.
The house aspect started strongly, occurring a five-goal run to get out to a 10-5 lead. Australia responded with three targets in a row, however the Diamonds ended up trailing 14-10 at quarter-time.
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Australia scored the primary two targets of the second quarter to shut inside two, however that was as shut as they acquired.
New Zealand regularly took management once more and established a 28-21 lead on the fundamental break.
The Silver Ferns’ lead blew out to double figures early within the third time period earlier than Australia stormed again.
Marinkovich rang the adjustments and had some success; captain Bassett and Austin in purpose assault placed on 5 straight targets.
The injection of Karin Burger in defence halfway by the third time period turned the tables and the Silver Ferns went to the final change forward 40-31.
Centre Liz Watson mentioned the Diamonds made “fundamental errors” and “struggled to get by the zone defence”.
Australia shaded New Zealand within the fourth quarter, profitable it 13-9, however left themselves an excessive amount of to do.
Bassett, the common skipper below former coach Lisa Alexander however the first of Marinkovich’s rotated leaders on this sequence, scored 19 targets from 21 makes an attempt in a sometimes robust show.
In opposition to a steely Silver Ferns defence, Austin confirmed early nerves, lacking 4 of her first 10 earlier than ending with 18 from 24 pictures.
Charles performed the second half at wing assault.
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Whereas Koenen took Bassett’s place for the fourth time period and scored seven, capturing at 100 per cent.
For New Zealand, purpose shooter Maia Wilson was the chief in assault with 31 targets from 40 makes an attempt.
Skipper Ameliaranne Ekenasio shot 18 from 23, and added 12 useful assists.
Australia might want to win the ultimate three video games or tie the sequence 2-2 with a more healthy purpose distinction to retain the Constellation Cup for an eighth straight time.
Silver Ferns coach Noeline Taurua, who masterminded a boilover 2019 World Cup ultimate win over Australia, served the Diamonds discover of their intent.
The sequence has been rearranged as a consequence of COVID-19, with all 4 Assessments being performed in Christchurch with out crowds.
Sport two is on Wednesday earlier than the sequence concludes with matches on Saturday and Sunday.
ABC/AAP