Silver Ferns undone by polished Diamonds in first test
A classy Australia produced a clinical display to post a 59-42 win over the Silver Ferns in the first of the four-test Constellation Cup Series in Invercargill on Thursday.
With a new-look squad and without the services of long-standing shooter Maria Tutaia, who is sidelined with injury, the Silver Ferns were left to rue a struggling first half where the speed and control of the Diamonds was the decisive factor.
In rebuilding mode, the Silver Ferns could take heart from a competitive second half where they competed on level terms with the Diamonds.
Not always a happy hunting ground, the visitors were left well satisfied with their return to the rebuilt ILT Stadium Southland for the first time, leaving the venue with little to fault in their outing. The Diamonds were on song from the outset as they hit the Silver Ferns with a forceful showing across all areas of the court.
The Silver Ferns failed to absorb the early menace of the Australians, flustered into error as the score continued to get away from them before regrouping and producing a solid second half effort.
Starting with an experienced line-up, the Silver Ferns quickly found themselves on the back foot in the face of a well-drilled and sharp Australian team through the first half.
Presenting with their gold medal winning line-up from August’s Commonwealth Games, Australia showed they had not lost their touch, continuing to assert their dominance through a compelling first half. Confronting an unrelenting opposition throughout the court, a hesitant Silver Ferns failed to find any flow and were guilty of too many turnovers.
There were no such problems for the Diamonds, the speed of wing attack Madi Robinson opening up a seamless transition on attack while the defence of Renae Hallinan, Julie Corletto and Laura Geitz put the squeeze on the Silver Ferns forward momentum.
Taking a 13-8 lead into the first quarter, the Diamonds put their foot down in a dominant second stanza as they powered away to a commanding lead. Goal shoot Caitlin Bassett played a prominent role under the hoop on the back of steady supply of quality ball.
Try as they might, the Silver Ferns could make little impact against an Australian team at the peak of their powers. A reshuffle of the defence line with Katrina Grant replacing Leana de Bruin and shooter Bailey Mes making her first international appearance since 2012, for Jodi Brown, could do little to stem the damage inflicted by the fired-up Australians who took a handsome 32-17 lead into the main break.
The Silver Ferns produced a spirited third quarter, a run of seven unanswered goals injecting a positive and resolute fight-back. Captain Casey Kopua and Grant got their hands on more defensive turnovers while Cathrine Latu found her touch under the goal, well supported by Mes who showed confidence to put the shot up from any range.
Competing on more equal terms gave some substance to the Silver Ferns outing but Australia ensured they stayed well in control when leading 45-28 at the last break.
After four years in the wilderness, Grace Rasmussen made her return to the Silver Ferns in the run home at wing attack for Liana Leota while Australia introduced Kim Green (centre), Tegan Caldwell (goal attack) and Sharni Layton (goal defence).
Grant and Kopua continued to produce turnover ball for the home team but Australia remained a well-oiled machine to ensure they kept the Silver Ferns at bay.
Mes and Rasmussen did their future prospects no harm for the second test in Melbourne on October 8 with solid contributions when they were introduced.