Opals rising star Isobel Borlase led Australia to a sweep New Zealand friendly series

Rising star Isobel Borlase has once again shown why she is the future of the national team, leading the Opals to a clean sweep series win over New Zealand, while the Boomers were handed a reality check.

Australia survived an almighty scare to escape past New Zealand to sweep their women’s Trans Tasman Throwdown.

The Opals came into the fixture as raging hot favourites on the back of a pair of wins by an average margin of 30 on home soil.

But Wellington proved a different beast, with the Tall Ferns lifting in front of their home faithful to head into the final term trailing by just four.

That’s when the class of Australia kicked into gear, re-establishing a double-digit margin and holding it until the end to run out 86-71 victors.

20-year-old Izzy Borlase stamped herself as a star of the future with an electric shooting display, leading Australia with 18 points, six rebounds, four assists and two steals.

Isobel Borlase led the Opals attack. Picture: Hannah Peters/Getty Images

BEHIND THE EIGHT BALL

First quarters were an issue for New Zealand in the first two games, finding themselves down by double digits on both occasions.

While they didn’t trail by as much this time around, a 9-0 run to the Opals to close out the quarter saw them playing from behind once again.

Australia had plenty of run in their legs as things finally started to click after a slow start.

CAPTAIN’S KNOCK

The Tall Ferns needed a spark and Esra McGoldrick (19 points, four steals) led by example.

The New Zealand captain answered the call with seven points with centre Emma Tofaeono adding eight off the bench.

They took the game to the Opals in the second quarter, chipping into the margin and getting them back into the contest.

Esra McGoldrick sparked her team. Picture: Hannah Peters/Getty Images

LET’S GET PHYSICAL

Wellington is used to big hits on the rugby field.

But you would struggle to find many bigger than the screen laid by Tofaeono on Alexandra Sharp, with contact so brutal that it forced the Opal from the court to receive medical attention.

It lit the fuse for things to get physical between the two teams, with Lauren Scherf bundling McKenna Dale over soon after, drawing an offensive foul as the Tall Ferns mounted their comeback.

Tall Blacks hand Boomers reality check to round out series

Out-muscled, out-enthused, outplayed.

The Boomers were handed a swift reality check in the final match of their Trans Tasman Throwdown with the Tall Blacks, defeated 106-97 in Wellington.

It was New Zealand’s first win over their arch-enemy in over five years, never trailing at any stage as they ended the series down 2-1.

Trailing by as much as 30 in the third term, Australia found an incredible fourth quarter surge to get back within six.

But they were no match for the physical Tall Blacks, who dominated the rebounding battle (50-28 reb, 21-6 off reb) as the Boomers were left to lament leaving their run too late.

Some Dejan Vasiljevic turnovers early proved costly. Picture: Hannah Peters/Getty Images

SLOW OUT OF THE BLOCKS

Australia couldn’t have started worse if they tried.

Their first two possessions with the ball resulted in a pair of DJ Vasiljevic turnovers, while they already allowed the Tall Blacks to get in the bonus inside four minutes.

They had four turnovers in this same period as they gifted the home side an early 11-2 advantage.

Eventually they found their groove, but hot from long range propelled NZ to a 28-16 first quarter lead.

COLD AS ICE

The lid was well and truly on the rim in the first half for the Boomers from the three-point line.

At one point midway through the second term, New Zealand was shooting at 6-12 from distance while Australia missed all seven attempts.

Todd Blanchfield eventually broke their drought with a pair of trebles late in the quarter, but it wasn’t enough to stop them from trailing.

Elijah Pepper shone for the Boomers. Picture: Hannah Peters/Getty Images

WELCOME HOME

Reuben Te Rangi returns to the New Zealand Breakers for the first time since 2016 in the next NBL season, and fans have every reason to be excited about the veteran’s return.

Te Rangi was a perfect 5-5 in the first half, scoring 15 points and helping New Zealand take control of the contest from the outset.

He had the fans out of their seats midway through the third with a no-look, behind-the-back assist to Walter Brown to punish one of many Boomers’ turnovers.

RED HOT ELIJAH PEPPER

If there’s one silver lining for Australia, it’s the form of Elijah Pepper.

He’s made headlines with his NBL1 exploits this season, and he was the only Boomer who could get something going on the offensive end.

Pepper led all scorers with 28 points, chipping in seven rebounds for good measure.

Originally published as Opals rising star Isobel Borlase led Australia to a sweep New Zealand friendly series