Cover Image: Hannah Howard/On the Ball Media
RESULTS
Test 1 – Wellington: NZ 64 def AUS 50
NZ
Grace Nweke 50/53 (94%)
Ameliaranne Ekenasio 14/15 (93%)
Total: 64/68 (94%)
AUS
Cara Koenen 20/22 (91%)
Sophie Garbin 13/14 (93%)
Kiera Austin 9/14 (64%)
Sophie Dwyer 8/12 (67%)
Total: 50/62 (81%)
MVP: Maddy Gordon (26 assists, 1 gain, 2 pickups)
Test 2 – Auckland: NZ 63 def Aus 52
NZ
Grace Nweke 47/51 (92%)
Ameliaranne Ekenasio 16/18 (89%)
Total: 63/69 (91%)
AUS
Sophie Garbin 30/33 (91%)
Sophie Dwyer 12/14 (86%)
Kiera Austin 10/12 (83%)
Total: 52/59 (88%)
MVP: Grace Nweke (47 goals, 2 rebounds)
Maddy Gordon has come into her own as the Silver Ferns’ centre. Image – Danny Dalton | Tah Dah Sports
MATCH SUMMARIES
Test 1 – TSB Arena (Wellington/ Pōneke)
Slick attacking connections and full-court defensive pressure by the Silver Ferns unravelled the usually dominant Australian Diamonds, giving them their most comprehensive defeat in 14 years, 64-50.
Despite a tightly contested first quarter, the Silver Ferns went up another gear in the second quarter at both ends of the court, separating the Diamonds’ defensive structure with quick ball speed and forcing their attack into uncharacteristic turnovers. Maddy Gordon gave her best performance in the Silver Ferns dress at centre. On attack, she had the highest amount of feeds (29) and goal assists (26) on court and in defence, while her combination with Kate Heffernan flustered the Australian attack to feed some low percentage balls to their shooters.
Another standout was Ameliaranne Ekenasio, whose impact could not be stopped despite playing three different opponents. Ekenasio demonstrated a consistently high work rate for the entire game, shooting at 93% (14/15), had 16 centre pass receives, and 11 goal assists. Her increased presence forced the Australian defence to try and shut her down, exposing an easier option into Grace Nweke and allowing her to score 50 goals at 94%.
On defence, the Diamonds were one step behind their opponents, to the point that they were following rather than contesting. Courtney Bruce was the Diamonds’ best player despite returning to international netball for the first time since January. Her individual presence was enough to put the Ferns’ attack in doubt, generating pressure into 3 deflections, 3 gains and one intercept.
The Diamonds’ usual flow in the attacking third never eventuated. The defensive pressure over the shot by Kelly Jackson saw all four shooters used and forced their two goal attack options, Kiera Austin and Sophie Dwyer, to shoot poorly at 64% and 67%, respectively.
Test 2 – Spark Arena (Auckland/ Tāmaki Makaurau)
The Diamonds’ ability to rebound from Test 1 was halted by an unbreakable Silver Ferns’ attacking end and punishing full-court defence, leading to a second double-digit loss for the Australians, 63-52. This was the Fern’s 8th consecutive win over the world number one in New Zealand, and they are now one win away from their third Constellation Cup series win.
Stacey Marinkovich made several changes to her starting lineup, rewarding Kate Maloney, Sunday Aryang and Sarah Klau for strong performances against England over established players who had helped the Diamonds win the Netball World Cup. However, the Ferns’ use of ball speed to avoid the man-on-man defence of the Diamonds gave their feeders high percentage looks into Grace Nweke.
A dominant first-quarter performance by the Ferns, 17-11, forced Marinkovich to make several changes to break momentum. Captain Liz Watson went to the bench after the first quarter, Jo Weston and Courtney Bruce were brought on just before halftime to put fear in the Ferns’ attack but to little avail.
However, the Diamonds shooting circle continued as a major concern. The Silver Ferns’ defensive end created major doubt in the Australian attackers. Kelly Jackson’s long lean forced the shooters to avoid shooting long, and pass off in the circle, causing turnovers not seen by the Diamonds in years. Kim Green highlighted that the Diamonds and especially Sophie Garbin “are playing into their (NZ) defensive structure”.
Grace Nweke was unbeatable in Test 2, shooting 47 goals at 92.2% and was able to rein in the ball under immense pressure. She is essential to the Ferns’ attack and in Test 2, Nweke’s athleticism allowed the Ferns’ to play with fast ball speed and play with flair to get around the Diamonds.
The Ferns also used the interchange incredibly well to stump the slight momentum swings in favour of the Diamonds’. Claire O’Brien came on well at wing attack to aid the transition from the defensive third to score, while Parris Mason’s tenacity and strong combination work with Pulse teammates Kelly Jackson and Maddy Gordon heightened the defensive pressure for the Ferns.
Noeline Taurua has had faith in her players this series to do the job and the results are coming out on the court.
Silver Ferns captain Ameliaranne Ekenasio and fellow shooter Grace Nweke have formed an incredible partnership. Image: Nicole Mudgway
WHAT WORKED
After a series loss against the Roses and a drop in world rankings to number three, by their own admission the Silver Ferns have had some frank and uncomfortable conversations. Their new found unity – just witness the support from their bench – saw them play a fierce and unstoppable brand of netball. And while there have been question marks over coach Noeline Taurua’s fitness policies, her point was proved when the Silver Ferns were able to start strongly and maintain their intensity across sixty minutes.
Their team statistics sat well clear of Australia’s across both matches, particularly in the second match. The Silver Ferns have always prided themselves on maintaining possession, and it’s a stat that’s been wayward in recent years. However, they gave up just 10 turnovers in the first match and 15 in the second, both superior to Australia’s 16 and 17 respectively. They were also dominant in shooting possession, averaging 92.5% across the two matches, compared to Australia’s more modest 84%.
Where New Zealand really shone was converting their centre passes and gains, which sat at levels far superior to the Diamonds. In contrast they were able to break down Australia’s usually reliable teamwork and unit cohesion to gain a winning edge over their opponents. With New Zealand able to fragment those units particularly defensively, the Diamonds looked hesitant and disjointed in attack.
Match 1
New Zealand
Australia
Centre pass conversion %
83%
71%
Gain conversion %
86%
75%
Turnover conversion %
83%
100%
Match 2
New Zealand
Australia
Centre pass conversion %
88%
69%
Gain conversion %
70%
50%
Turnover conversion %
36%
73%
With Australia’s circle defenders struggling, it was their attacking unit that stepped up defensively in the second match to create some much needed gains against New Zealand. Sophie Dwyer outshone the rest with two, while Sophie Garbin, Paige Hadley and Jamie-Lee Price each chipped in with one.
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