NZLvAUS: the rivalry reaches another level in 1991
September 29, 2015
New Zealand and Australia have played out many memorable Gold Medal Matches on Netball’s biggest stages.
The introduction of finals at the 1991 Netball World Cup was one of those iconic matches and it’s the topic of our next instalment of ‘the rivalry’.
See the Silver Ferns take on the Diamonds in the New World Netball Series for the Constellation Cup – GET TICKETS!
‘A long rivalry filled with much drama’ (continued…)
By Dana Johannsen
READ MORE: Part One
READ MORE: Pat Two
While the Silver Ferns were late starters in the traditional seven-a-side game, it did not take them long to establish themselves alongside Australia as one of the top sides in international Netball.
In 1963, the first World Netball Championships were held in Eastbourne, England, where New Zealand finished second behind Australia, after losing to their trans-Tasman rivals by just one goal in pool play.
They got their revenge at the next instalment of the championships though, upstaging Australia on their home soil in Perth in 1967, with a 40-34 win over the host Aussies to go through the tournament unbeaten.
In seven years New Zealand went from international pariahs to world champions and ever since, the Silver Ferns and Australia have been locked in a never-ending battle for competitive advantage.
What has arguably strengthened the rivalry further over the years is the introduction of finals to the world tournament format in 1991.
Since then, New Zealand and Australia have contested all but one world championship final, with four goals being the biggest margin of victory over that time (the Silver Ferns missed out on the 1995 final when an upset loss to South Africa in pool play meant they had to play Australia in the semi-finals, they went down by -- you guessed it -- one goal). The two nations have also played off for the gold medal in all Commonwealth Games finals.
Some of those heart-breaking one-goal losses to Australia are the most memorable trans-Tasman battles.
One of the greatest world championship showdowns of all-time was the 1991 final between New Zealand and Australia.
According to the captain of the time Waimarama Taumaunu, it was “a game that would become the yardstick by which other games would be measured.”
The score of each team was rarely more than one goal apart -- the lead changed eight times in the first half alone. Heading in to the fourth quarter New Zealand led, 41-40, and while it wasn’t goal-for-goal, the score remained tight over the final 15 minutes.
As the seconds ticked down, the scores were even with the Silver Ferns in possession after the brilliant Taumaunu came up with a timely intercept, only to watch in horror as her team threw it back to the Australians.
Australian goal defence Rosalee Jencke came out of nowhere for the intercept, before hurling the ball down to Catriona Wagg, who calmly slotted the goal.
It was an absorbing contest that will have no doubt have reinforced IFNA’s decision to include a finals format in the world tournament.
Follow the Silver Ferns on the road to the New World Netball Series for the Constellation Cup by joining the team as a SilverFan! As a SilverFan you’ll get exclusive content, special offers and a members’-only e-newsletter. Join the team, become a SilverFan today!
The introduction of finals at the 1991 Netball World Cup was one of those iconic matches and it’s the topic of our next instalment of ‘the rivalry’.
See the Silver Ferns take on the Diamonds in the New World Netball Series for the Constellation Cup – GET TICKETS!
‘A long rivalry filled with much drama’ (continued…)
By Dana Johannsen
READ MORE: Part One
READ MORE: Pat Two
While the Silver Ferns were late starters in the traditional seven-a-side game, it did not take them long to establish themselves alongside Australia as one of the top sides in international Netball.
In 1963, the first World Netball Championships were held in Eastbourne, England, where New Zealand finished second behind Australia, after losing to their trans-Tasman rivals by just one goal in pool play.
They got their revenge at the next instalment of the championships though, upstaging Australia on their home soil in Perth in 1967, with a 40-34 win over the host Aussies to go through the tournament unbeaten.
In seven years New Zealand went from international pariahs to world champions and ever since, the Silver Ferns and Australia have been locked in a never-ending battle for competitive advantage.
What has arguably strengthened the rivalry further over the years is the introduction of finals to the world tournament format in 1991.
Since then, New Zealand and Australia have contested all but one world championship final, with four goals being the biggest margin of victory over that time (the Silver Ferns missed out on the 1995 final when an upset loss to South Africa in pool play meant they had to play Australia in the semi-finals, they went down by -- you guessed it -- one goal). The two nations have also played off for the gold medal in all Commonwealth Games finals.
Some of those heart-breaking one-goal losses to Australia are the most memorable trans-Tasman battles.
One of the greatest world championship showdowns of all-time was the 1991 final between New Zealand and Australia.
According to the captain of the time Waimarama Taumaunu, it was “a game that would become the yardstick by which other games would be measured.”
The score of each team was rarely more than one goal apart -- the lead changed eight times in the first half alone. Heading in to the fourth quarter New Zealand led, 41-40, and while it wasn’t goal-for-goal, the score remained tight over the final 15 minutes.
As the seconds ticked down, the scores were even with the Silver Ferns in possession after the brilliant Taumaunu came up with a timely intercept, only to watch in horror as her team threw it back to the Australians.
Australian goal defence Rosalee Jencke came out of nowhere for the intercept, before hurling the ball down to Catriona Wagg, who calmly slotted the goal.
It was an absorbing contest that will have no doubt have reinforced IFNA’s decision to include a finals format in the world tournament.
Follow the Silver Ferns on the road to the New World Netball Series for the Constellation Cup by joining the team as a SilverFan! As a SilverFan you’ll get exclusive content, special offers and a members’-only e-newsletter. Join the team, become a SilverFan today!