Diamonds massacred in horrific Constellation Cup bloodbath

Australia have been wiped off the court in stunning scenes in Perth, losing the Constellation Cup for just the third time in history.

Australia have coughed up the Constellation Cup for just the third time in history after falling to a 61-43 loss in Perth on Sunday.

The world champion Diamonds were blown out of the water by New Zealand in a horror third term and couldn’t recover in a display deemed “unacceptable” by Fox Netball’s Cat Tuivaiti.

While it’s disaster for Australia, the Silver Ferns were unstoppable for a third straight game to record another impressive double digit win.

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It’s the first time in history New Zealand have won three straight Con Cup games by double digit margins.

It’s also the first time New Zealand have even claimed a Constellation Cup on Australian soil - with the victory their first down under since 2019.

Kiwi Kate Heffernan was named MVP for her performance that saw Diamonds skipper Liz Watson benched for successive Tests.

Grace Nweke was the pick of the shooters with 47 goals at 94%.

For the Diamonds Sophie Garbin was the top scorer with 26/28 while Jamie-Lee Price impressed in the midcourt.

QUARTER BY QUARTER MATCH REPORT

STARTING SEVEN

Australia: GS Garbin, GA Dwyer, WA Watson, C Hadley, WD Price, GD Klau, GK Bruce

New Zealand: GS Nweke, GA Ekenasio, WA Poi, C Gordon, WD Heffernan, GD Burger, GK Jackson

The first turnover of the match came early as Sophie Dwyer missed her first attempt and New Zealand capitalised.

“Not the wisest thing to do stepping into the arms of Kelly Jackson,” commentator Cat Tuivaiti said.

The Kiwis have done it. Photo by James Worsfold/Getty Images

A couple of minutes of scrappy play saw Australia fail to capitalise on a big Sarah Klau intercept as the Kiwis jumped out to a 6-2 lead.

But some massive moments from Jamie-Lee Price to win back ball saw the Aussies close within one.

Courtney Bruce was able to get hands to ball after Karin Burger snared her first intercept of the match, before star Grace Nweke spilled ball over the baseline.

But again the Aussies couldn’t maintain possession in all the noise inside RAC Arena.

When Price pulled in a second stunning intercept for the term, suddenly the scores were level at the first change 13-all.

Stern words from coach Dame Noeline Taurua saw Kiwi goal keeper Kelly Jackson come out firing.

The two sides traded blows as the Ferns flirted time and time again with the three-second rule, before star Nweke hit the deck.

Nweke got squeezed between the post and Diamonds defender Sarah Klau, sending a scare through the Kiwi camp.

“They are putting Grace Nweke under all sorts of pressure tonight,” Fox Netball’s Cath Cox said.

But the dominant shooter was able to return to her feet and land her 16th goal.

She got a new opponent moments later with rookie Rudi Ellis on for her first minutes of this Constellation Cup at goal keeper.

By half time, the Kiwis held a slender 28-26 advantage.

Georgie Horjus reacts to the shocking loss. Photo by James Worsfold/Getty Images

But from that point, it was disaster for Australia.

The third quarter belonged to the Ferns as they put on an absolute clinic away from home.

After starting the term with assistant coach Nicole Richardson questioning centre pass possession - which officials said belonged to New Zealand - the Aussies were blown away.

New Zealand had three goals - and could have had a fourth had Grace Nweke not stepped out of court - before the Aussies could even get on the board.

The margin was quickly out to seven for the visitors before Georgie Horjus became Diamond #193.

When Paige Hadley had two moments to forget - first stepping out of court and then not holding within the circle, suddenly the Ferns were looking comfortable.

More changes came for Australia with Sunday Aryang into wing defence and Price into centre, but still they coughed up ball and the margin hit double digits.

“This is unacceptable for the Diamonds,” Tuivaiti said.

Held to just nine goals, the Aussies were staring down the barrel of coughing up the Constellation Cup as they trailed 46-35.

Courtney Bruce returned at GK and caused the immediate held ball, but as has been the issue all series Australia couldn’t convert.

Cara Koenen finally saw court time with less than 10 minutes to play - but the margin was still out at 12 goals.

Bodies hit the deck repeatedly - much to New Zealand’s dismay as the Aussies fell apart.

But the match and series belonged to the Silver Ferns who ran out 61-43 winners.

Originally published as Diamonds massacred in horrific Constellation Cup bloodbath