Challenging Times for Silver Ferns
The Silver Ferns could not deny a well-drilled Australia from retaining the Constellation Cup with the hosts prevailing 47-34 in Sydney on Saturday.
It was the third consecutive loss in the four-match series, for a rebuilding Silver Ferns, the visitors once again left searching for answers against a relentless Australia.
Of major concern to the Silver Ferns was the sight of influential captain Casey Kopua being stretchered off court with a serious-looking knee injury 10 minutes ahead of full-time.
Leading the Silver Ferns for the 62nd time, Kopua surpassed Lyn Gunson’s record of 61 tests as New Zealand captain, picking up where she left off in the second test with another outstanding showing.
Despite Kopua’s best efforts, the visitors could not recover from a withering onslaught delivered by the Diamonds in the first quarter. The Silver Ferns provided stubborn resistance in the following three quarters, losing each by just two goals but could not break Australia’s overall accuracy and finishing.
The Silver Ferns won enough defensive turnover ball through Kopua, Katrina Grant and Joline Henry to keep them in the frame but the new-look attack line had a challenging outing against a red-hot Australian defence.
Veteran Jodi Brown took over from newcomer Ameliaranne Wells for the second half, the Silver Ferns left chasing the game when trailing 35-24 at the last break.
Bailey Mes completed the Silver Ferns full use of their shooting complement when replacing Cathrine Latu at Goal Shoot for the last quarter, the sting going out of the contest with Kopua’s untimely injury.
There were no surprises in goal attack Wells getting her first run-on start for the Silver Ferns after the rookie made such an impressive debut in the second test. Liana Leota got the nod at wing attack while Grant and Kopua were the starting in-circle defensive pairing.
Diamonds coach Lisa Alexander kept with her favoured starting line-up of the previous two tests in resisting any temptations for change.
The Silver Ferns were left with a mountain to climb after an unyielding first half effort by the Diamonds. Kopua provided the resistance, leading from the front again as she got her hands on plenty of turnover ball.
Presented with numerous opportunities, the Silver Ferns could not convert at the other end as they struggled to breach the oppressive defensive efforts of Renae Hallinan, Julie Corletto and Laura Geitz.
There were no such problems for the Diamonds who showed slick transition in their through-court play, shooters Caitlin Bassett and Natalie Medhurst receiving a quality service as the home team skipped out to a 14-7 lead at the first break.
Grace Rasmussen took over from Leota on the resumption, sparking more enterprise and movement on attack for the Silver Ferns as the pace picked up but with every pass fiercely contested, the pressure told on the visitors.
Wing attack Madi Robinson proved an influential figure for the Diamonds with her speed and precision feeding as the home team took a comfortable 24-15 lead into the main break.
In a night for records, midcourt dynamo Laura Langman notched her 110th consecutive cap to equal Lesley Rumball’s record as the second-most capped Silver Fern behind Irene van Dyk.
The final test of the series will be played at The Trusts Arena in Auckland on Wednesday night.