Jenny Woods: “It’s on!”
SKY Sport commentator Jenny Woods can’t wait for the second leg of the New World Netball Series for the Constellation Cup on NZ soil. With the Series levelled at one win apiece, she takes a look at the last two Test in the latest instalment of the Commentator’s Call…
It’s on.
By pulling off a win across the Tasman, the Silver Ferns have set the tone for what should be a thrilling conclusion to the 2016 Constellation Cup.
They go into the Third Test of the series at Auckland’s Vector Arena tonight on the back of a much-improved performance in Tasmania on Wednesday night. The 53-51 goal win was a massive step up after the 68-56 loss in Sydney earlier in the week.
To hear the likes of Sharni Layton and Clare McMeniman say they were rattled and intimidated by the Silver Ferns in Launceston, will have brought smiles to many a Silver Fan. The New Zealanders were able to turn the tables on the Australians, putting out a near 60-minute performance which the home side couldn’t match.
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The challenge for the Silver Ferns now, is to show that it was the Sydney Test that was the aberration and not the encounter at the aptly named Silverdome in Launceston.
Anna Harrison’s 15 minute outing in the First Test of the series gave no hint at the wonders she would perform in the second. Recovering from a calf injury, she was meant to be limited to 30 minutes, but coach Janine Southby acknowledged after the match she simply couldn’t afford to pull her from the court. In her first 60 minute outing in two years, Harrison pulled in five intercepts and 11 deflections, and in doing so weakened the potency of the great Caitlin Bassett.
While it was an improved performance by all eight New Zealanders who took the court, Te Paea Selby-Rickit is also worthy of special mention. She got her first start against Australia, partnering Bailey Mes in the circle, and certainly didn’t look out of place. Her performance adds to the complexity of the equation for Southby when it comes to how and when to re-introduce Maria Tutaia to the mix.
Laura Langman essentially nullified another of the Diamonds’ big threats, Madi Robinson. She added icing to the cake with an intercept in the dying moments which helped seal the New Zealand victory. Most pleasing was the ability of the Silver Ferns to absorb massive pressure towards the end of the game, while their opponents wilted. And a full game against Australia was not a bad present for Shannon Francois on her 26th birthday!
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But that was then, and now is now. Australian coach Lisa Alexander is on the money with her assessment that when these two teams are at their best, there’s little between them. New Zealand was poor in Sydney, Australia below par in Launceston. The Silver Ferns know they have to back up in Auckland tonight, and again in Invercargill on Thursday night. They won’t want to let this Third Test slip, and put themselves in the same position they found themselves in last year; needing a big win to snatch the Constellation Cup on goal difference. That 12 goal loss in the First Test could come back to haunt them.
A win in Auckland would be the Silver Ferns 50th over the world champion Aussies in 131 Tests. But more importantly it would set them up for a crack at taking a trophy New Zealand has held only once in its seven year history.