Silver Ferns deliver in style for retiring Taumaunu
October 31, 2015
Jodi Brown was named the player of the match in the Silver Ferns victory over Australia © Michael Bradley Photography
In an emotionally charged outing, the Silver Ferns farewelled coach Waimarama Taumaunu in the best possible fashion when delivering a dominant 58-47 win over Australia in the fourth and final test of the Constellation Cup in Perth on Friday.
In her last game in charge, the popular Taumaunu couldn’t have asked for more as the Silver Ferns completed their second win of the series on Australian soil after dropping the first two Tests at home.
After drawing the series at two games apiece, the Silver Ferns showed their character as they also came within a whisker of winning the Constellation Cup. Needing to win the match by 14 goals to take the Cup, the Silver Ferns fell an agonising three goals short despite their gallant efforts.
Saving their best until last, it was a memorable outing for the Silver Ferns who produced their most decisive form in recent years in one of sport’s great rivalries in front of a recordPerth crowd of 12,365. The visitors held the edge through the first half, the Diamonds hanging on grimly before the Silver Ferns burst away during a dominant second half.
There were no surprises in a settled Silver Ferns line-up with Leana de Bruin getting the nod at goal defence and Jodi Brown lining up at goal attack.
Showing their intent, Australia opted for their strongest seven in a bid to seal the series, welcoming back the injured duo of Caitlin Bassett and Renae Ingles while also recalling captain Laura Geitz from her break to suit up in the final Test of 2015.
In the face of some demanding defensive pressure, shooters Bailey Mes and Brown were quick to reproduce their fine form of the previous Test in helping the Silver Ferns get away to an assured and seamless start.
Dictating terms early, the Silver Ferns impressed with their through-court fluency while showing the necessary patience on the circle edge to deliver an accurate and steady service to the shooters.
There were plenty of options on attack for the Silver Ferns while defensively they kept the Diamonds in check off the centre pass.
Pocketing some late turnover opportunities, the Diamonds levelled the scores as the teams went goal-for-goal to the first break, the Silver Ferns enjoying a slim 13-12 lead.
The visitors got off to a flyer on the resumption, scoring the first three goals to throw down the challenge to the world champions. Winding back the clock after making her debut 12 years ago, goal attack Brown produced a dominant display for the Silver Ferns.
Sure on the shot while also expertly setting up offloads to Mes, Brown was key to the Silver Ferns ball movement on attack as they continued to keep Australia on the back foot.
She was ably assisted by influential centre Laura Langman, who revelled in the open spaces. Playing in her 131st consecutive Test since making her debut in 2005, the Silver Ferns vice-captain was at her mercurial best.
Wing defence Kayla Cullen wasn’t far behind in keeping a tight grip on Australia’s second phase play.
The Silver Ferns kept their noses in front for much of the quarter before a strong push helped the Diamonds get back on level terms, the teams going toe-to-toe and leaving the scores all tied up at 26-all heading into the main break.
In a familiar change, Katrina Grant replaced de Bruin for the second half while Clare McMeniman took over from Sharni Layton at goal defence for Australia.
In a repeat of the earlier starts to the respective quarters, the Silver Ferns were out of the blocks quickly, edging out to a five-goal lead before taking control and running rampant in an explosive third quarter.
Australia Australia
In her last game in charge, the popular Taumaunu couldn’t have asked for more as the Silver Ferns completed their second win of the series on Australian soil after dropping the first two Tests at home.
After drawing the series at two games apiece, the Silver Ferns showed their character as they also came within a whisker of winning the Constellation Cup. Needing to win the match by 14 goals to take the Cup, the Silver Ferns fell an agonising three goals short despite their gallant efforts.
Saving their best until last, it was a memorable outing for the Silver Ferns who produced their most decisive form in recent years in one of sport’s great rivalries in front of a record
There were no surprises in a settled Silver Ferns line-up with Leana de Bruin getting the nod at goal defence and Jodi Brown lining up at goal attack.
Showing their intent, Australia opted for their strongest seven in a bid to seal the series, welcoming back the injured duo of Caitlin Bassett and Renae Ingles while also recalling captain Laura Geitz from her break to suit up in the final Test of 2015.
In the face of some demanding defensive pressure, shooters Bailey Mes and Brown were quick to reproduce their fine form of the previous Test in helping the Silver Ferns get away to an assured and seamless start.
Dictating terms early, the Silver Ferns impressed with their through-court fluency while showing the necessary patience on the circle edge to deliver an accurate and steady service to the shooters.
There were plenty of options on attack for the Silver Ferns while defensively they kept the Diamonds in check off the centre pass.
Pocketing some late turnover opportunities, the Diamonds levelled the scores as the teams went goal-for-goal to the first break, the Silver Ferns enjoying a slim 13-12 lead.
The visitors got off to a flyer on the resumption, scoring the first three goals to throw down the challenge to the world champions. Winding back the clock after making her debut 12 years ago, goal attack Brown produced a dominant display for the Silver Ferns.
Sure on the shot while also expertly setting up offloads to Mes, Brown was key to the Silver Ferns ball movement on attack as they continued to keep Australia on the back foot.
She was ably assisted by influential centre Laura Langman, who revelled in the open spaces. Playing in her 131st consecutive Test since making her debut in 2005, the Silver Ferns vice-captain was at her mercurial best.
Wing defence Kayla Cullen wasn’t far behind in keeping a tight grip on Australia’s second phase play.
The Silver Ferns kept their noses in front for much of the quarter before a strong push helped the Diamonds get back on level terms, the teams going toe-to-toe and leaving the scores all tied up at 26-all heading into the main break.
In a familiar change, Katrina Grant replaced de Bruin for the second half while Clare McMeniman took over from Sharni Layton at goal defence for Australia.
In a repeat of the earlier starts to the respective quarters, the Silver Ferns were out of the blocks quickly, edging out to a five-goal lead before taking control and running rampant in an explosive third quarter.