Australia Win Gold Medal Match Against New Zealand

Defending champions New Zealand were outclassed 58-40 by a well-drilled Australia in the Commonwealth Games Netball final in Glasgow on Sunday.

New Zealand could not repeat their efforts of 2010 and 2006 as Australia secured their first Commonwealth title since 2002 with a comprehensive outing. On level terms after the first quarter, the Australian team went on to dominate the contest with clinical efficiency.

There was no let-up from Australia who held the upper hand in all facets with near faultless execution which had the New Zealanders struggling for answers throughout.

Hampered throughout the tournament by multiple injuries in their shooting ranks, all New Zealand players warmed up and were available with Maria Tutaia named at goal shooter and Jodi Brown at goal attack in the starting line-up.

For Australia, youngster Kim Ravaillion got the nod at centre ahead of the experienced Kim Green in an otherwise predictable starting seven.

Both teams made steady starts, the respective attacking lines making relatively easy access to goal. Midcourters Laura Langman and Liana Leota were a strong presence on transition while Tutaia and Brown inter-changed their positions with a mobile shooting effort.

Towering shooter Caitlin Bassett was the key target for Australia as the world’s No 1 ranked team strung together a three-goal buffer. New Zealand defenders Casey Kopua and Leana de Bruin came to the party with some decisive rebound and intercept ball as Tuatia got her radar working to leave the teams locked at 14-all at the first break.

Australia got the jump on the resumption and continued to put their foot down in a dominating second stanza.

Bassett was a dominant force under the Australian hoop as she netted 25 goals on her own in the first half while smothering defence at the other end stalled New Zealand’s progress.

Brown and Tutaia came under immense pressure from Australian defenders Julie Corletto and Laura Geitz as New Zealand’s attacking line found it increasingly difficult to breach a rock solid defence.

As a result, New Zealand’s shooting percentages dropped which proved the difference as Australia went to the main break with a 28-24 lead.

Katrina Grant replaced de Bruin in the second half, at goal defence for New Zealand, with Kopua going back to goalkeeper, in a bid to stem the flow of ball getting to Bassett.

However, Australia remained firmly in control with an efficient third stanza as they continued to build on a handy lead, producing an error free quarter.

New Zealand had their opportunities with defensive pick-ups but a lack of accuracy under the post proved costly. Australia were effective in denying the Kiwis any speed or momentum on attack while captain Geitz was pivotal in shutting down her opposing shooters as she helped her team pull out to a 43-32 lead at the last break.

In a last throw of the dice, shooter Cathrine Latu, midcourter Shannon Francois and defender Anna Harrison were introduced for the final quarter for New Zealand but they could make few inroads against the well-performed Australians.

 

New Zealand Netball Team v Australia

NZ quarter-time line-ups:

Player:	1st Quarter	2nd Quarter	3rd Quarter	4th Quarter
Casey Kopua (captain)	GD	GD	GK	Gk/GD
Laura Langman (vice-captain)	C	C	C	C
Jodi Brown	GA	GA	GA	-
Leana de Bruin	GK	GK	-	GK (ON)
Shannon Francois	-	-	-	WA
Katrina Grant	-	-	GD	GD (OFF)
Ellen Halpenny	-	-	-	-
Anna Harrison	-	-	-	WD
Joline Henry	WD	WD	WD	-
Cathrine Latu	-	-	-	GS
Liana Leota	WA	WA	WA	-
Maria Tutaia	GS	GS	GS	GA
Quarter Scores (NZ score first)	14-14	10-14	8-15	8-15
			FINAL SCORE	40-58

NZ Shooting Statistics:

Player:	1st Quarter	2nd Quarter	3rd Quarter	4th Quarter	TOTALS
Jodi Brown	6/6	4/6	1/4	-	11/16 (69%)
Ellen Halpenny	-	-	-	-	-
Cathrine Latu	-	-	-	7/7	7/7 (100%)
Maria Tutaia	8/10	6/10	7/9	1/2	22/31 (71%)
				TEAM TOTAL	40/54 (74%)