Commentator’s Call: nothing can be taken for granted

Take what you will from the Netball Quad Series, but in a nutshell it was all good – for both international Netball, and New Zealand Netball.

It was clear something was on the horizon when the four squads were announced. The normally dominant Australians had one of their most inexperienced line-up in years, the New Zealanders were in much the same boat, while the South Africans and English had Test Caps to burn.

This biannual competition is still in its infancy, but until this latest instalment, Australia hadn’t been beaten, and the two traditional power-houses were pulling off 20 to 30 goal victories over the other two. 

But going to the Invercargill finale with three teams in the hunt for the trophy shows how that’s changed. England outclassed New Zealand during the week in Auckland, but then South Africa’s 54-51 win over England on Sunday was another turn of the wheel.

Nothing can be taken for granted anymore.

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Any New Zealand V Australia clash is something to look forward to, but Sunday’s had extra spice thanks to the separation of their domestic leagues.

As things turned out it was a knockout blow to the Silver Ferns. A punishing 18-10 opening quarter rocked the Diamonds and they never recovered. The decision to play Bailey Mes at GA worked a treat, Gina Crampton had a superb game at WA against Gabi Simpson, Samantha Sinclair had the satisfaction of seeing Madi Robinson benched, and Kelly Jury did the business against the best shooter in the world, Caitlin Bassett.

It’s too early to jump to conclusions ... that the Australian competition with unlimited imports is weakening the pool of home grown talent, or perhaps the Australians have forgotten how to compete against the New Zealand style.

All that’s sure is that October’s Constellation Cup, and the Taini Jamison Series against England before that, should be beauties.

SKY Sport will bring NZ fans every match of the Taini Jamison Trophy live, starting from the first Test on Thursday night from 7.30pm, delayed on Prime from 9.30pm.