Silver Ferns keen to make amends in Christchurch

Improving their accuracy will be the primary focus for the Silver Ferns in the short turnaround ahead of the second Constellation Cup Test against the Australian Diamonds in Christchurch on Sunday.

Following a sound 10-goal win over their arch rivals in the Quad Series a month ago, there were high expectations on the Silver Ferns shoulders heading into the Constellation Cup opener on Thursday but those were quickly dashed when the Diamonds responded with a hard-fought 57-54 win.

With both teams still tinkering with new-look combinations and personnel ahead of April’s Commonwealth Games, there is little that separates the pair but the Silver Ferns were left to rue missed opportunities.

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Silver Ferns coach Janine Southby did not mince her words when highlighting a high error count and veering away from the game plan as major factors in the disappointing first-up loss. The Silver Ferns showed their fighting spirit to always been in with a chance but were unable to nail key moments.

“It’s not about making massive changes…..we’ve got to address what wasn’t working and make sure it’s better on Sunday,” Southby said.

“We just made too many personal errors and I think we were guilty of not doing what we talked about in the game plan and then panicking a little bit at times.

“We’re all going to go away and have a good look at this. We know we can be better, we know we should be, we’re really disappointed and it’s just not good enough.”

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With both teams hosting two Tests apiece in the four-match Constellation Cup, the Diamonds, stung into action by last month’s loss, will have a spring in their step after securing a vital away win but the series is now set to lift another notch.

“There’s always something a little extra special when we play our trans-Tasman friends and the intensity levels do lift,” Diamonds captain Caitlin Bassett said.

“You could feel it out there in the first Test when they (Silver Ferns) started coming back and the crowd got really involved. We know that playing in New Zealand is tough but we love to play here and to get a win not just against this team but in this environment, is great for us.”

The Silver Ferns and Australian Diamonds will face-off in the second Test at Horncastle Arena, Christchurch, on Sunday 8 October – GET TICKETS.

Can’t make it to the game? NZ-based fans can catch all the action live from 2pm (NZT) on SKY Sport 2 or via the live commentary thanks to Radio Sport. Prime will show delayed coverage from 6pm.

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