Silver Ferns secure clean-sweep in inaugural Oceania Series
The Silver Ferns have made a clean-sweep on their first ever visit to Fiji but were made to wait for their latest victory after a national power outage threatened the final test of the Oceania Netball Series.
It was a delayed start to the Ferns final outing in the inaugural series in Suva due to the power black-out affecting the whole of the island.
The enthusiastic crowds which have turned up for the history-making series featuring New Zealand, Fiji and Samoa did not waste the opportunity with spontaneous singing and dancing in their seats as they waited for the power to be restored.
But it was the Ferns who found their rhythm on court first when the eighth test between the two nations got under way after a half hour delay, going on to win the test 76-34.
Coach Waimarama Taumaunu opted for another new shooting combination in Ellen Halpenny at goal attack and Bailey Mes at shooter, while Phoenix Karaka was given her second start in the black dress, wearing the goal defence bib alongside Leana de Bruin who was celebrating her 90th test cap for New Zealand.
Camilla Lees impressed with her vision from wing attack threading the ball through to Mes with pinpoint accuracy while Laura Langman’s presence at wing defence frustrated Fiji’s frontline as she picked up a number of turnovers for the Ferns.
Halpenny slotted a penalty on the whistle to end the first quarter with a 21-10 advantage and a flicker from the lighting early in the second spell brought a cheer from the crowd and a few anxious looks on the benches.
Ferns veteran Jodi Brown stepped into the spotlight after the break as she replaced Halpenny to mark her 50th test for the Ferns.
The hosts also made once change with teenager Episake Kahatoka coming on for Fiji and showing her promise with her leap and rebounding ability.
But the suffocating defensive pressure across the court from the Ferns forced Fiji into numerous errors as they dominated the scoreboard and restricted their opponents to just four goals in the first 10 minutes of the spell.
Karaka, who led the charge for intercepts during the match, continued to make the most of her opportunities on court hunting ball and forming an impenetrable defensive wall alongside Langman and centre Shannon Francois.
New Zealand’s speed in transition from defence to attack also left Fiji flummoxed as the score blew out to 20-goals mid-way through the quarter.
Fiji finished the spell with a flourish however with vice-captain and goal attack Maria Lutua leading the way but the hosts still trailed 17-41 at halftime.
Mes was the only Fern to hold onto the same bib when play resumed with Maria Tutaia and Grace Rasmussen joining the forward line, Langman moving to centre and Kayla Cullen and Katrina Grant coming into the defensive unit.
The continuity throughout court impressed from the Ferns as they held on to a 61-26 lead with one quarter remaining.
Brown returned to the court for the final 15 minutes replacing Mes who had been outstanding for three quarters.
Fiji will be pleased to improve on the 27 goals they scored against the Ferns on Monday night as they produced some of their best netball in the fourth spell.
Silver Ferns Shooting Stats
Brown 19/24 (79%)
Halpenny 10/11 (91%)
Mes 37/42 (88%)
Tutaia 10/15 (67%)
Fiji Pearls Shooting Stats
Mitchell 14/18 (78%)
Lutua 7/9 (77%)
Rauluni 12/21 (57%)
Mawai 1/4 (25%)
| Player | 1st Qtr | 2nd Qtr | 3rd Qtr | 4th Qtr |
| Jodi Brown | - | GA | - | GS |
| Kayla Cullen | - | WD | WD | |
| Leana de Bruin | GK | GK | - | - |
| Shannon Francois | C | C | - | - |
| Katrina Grant | - | - | GD | GD |
| Ellen Halpenny | GA | - | - | - |
| Phoenix Karaka | GD | GD | GK | GK |
| Laura Langman | WD | WD | C | C |
| Camilla Lees | WA | WA | - | - |
| Bailey Mes | GS | GS | GS | - |
| Grace Rasmussen | - | - | WA | WA |
| Maria Tutaia | - | - | GA | GA |