Diamonds’ drought in New Zealand continues as Kiwi’s post record breaking score

Australia’s search for a win in New Zealand lives on as the Silver Ferns stunned the Diamonds in Wellington, but the record breaking performance from the Kiwis only highlights how much Grace Nweke will be missed.

Australia’s search for a win in New Zealand goes on, with the Silver Ferns staging a 14-goal victory over the Diamonds that highlights just how much they will miss Super Netball-bound shooter Grace Nweke.

Nweke, who will be ineligible for national selection next season while playing for the NSW Swifts, contributed 50 goals in the Kiwis’ 64-50 victory in Wellington, their best ever score against Australia outside of extra-time.

The towering target was outstanding for the Ferns, mitigating several wayward passes with her height and incredible athletic ability.

In tandem with captain and goal attack Ameliaranne Ekenasio – who grew up in Brisbane but moved back to New Zealand to further her netball career after scant opportunities in Oz – the Ferns staged a massive turnaround just weeks after losing the Taini Jamison Series to England, a defeat that triggered a drop to no. 3 in the world rankings.

It wounded the proud Ferns, and they took their frustrations out on the Diamonds.

Things looked good early for the Diamonds, who led by three late in the first term but were guilty – as has been the case too often recently in their Con Cup encounters – of not putting their foot on their opponent’s throat when leading.

New Zealand will miss Grace Nweke. Picture: Getty Images

The Ferns were outstanding in the second term, winning the period 17-9 to take a nine-goal lead to halftime and forcing the Diamonds into several changes.

After clawing the margin back to five goals early in the final term, it seemed the Diamonds might turn the tide but they made a series of uncharacteristic errors, with the unflappable Ferns pushing the margin back out to double figures to seal victory and pile pressure on ahead of game two in Auckland on Wednesday night.

Diamonds captain Liz Watson paid tribute to the Ferns, whose winning margin over Australia was the biggest in more than a decade.

“They obviously played extremely well – and we didn’t to be honest,” Watson said.

“So lots to learn from that game and obviously three to go, so we’re really looking for a better performance next time.”

Ameliaranne Ekenasio also had a sensational night. Picture: Getty Images

SOUL SEARCHING PAYS OFF

Ekenasio, who was outstanding in her own right with 14 goals from 15 attempts and 11 goal assists, was emotional after the win, admitting the series loss to England and drop down the rankings had been difficult.

“We’ve had a tough couple weeks (but) I feel like that’s what we’ve been putting out in training, so I’m just stoked that it’s come into the game,” she said.

“We’ve been through some pretty heavy stuff in the last couple of days and we’ve had to become real vulnerable with each other.

“It’s just been way more connected. So I think getting real with each other has been the game changer.

“I think we play for each other tonight, which is the difference.”

New Zealand’s midcourt was under pressure coming into the game after struggling to get clean ball into their shooters against England and while they still relied on the long ball into Nweke on several occasions, they probably took points over their Aussie opponents.

Sophie Dwyer was strong in defeat for Australia. Picture: Getty Images

DWYER STANDS TALL

Sophie Dwyer played just a few minutes in the series against England but stood tall when she came on in the third term as the Aussie shooters struggled.

Sophie Garbin and Kiera Austin have been outstanding for the Diamonds recently but they struggled against circle defenders Kelly Jackson and Karin Burger, who was outstanding in shutting down Austin – player of the series against England.

But the change to put Cara Koenen on with Austin did little to change the dynamic, the pair confusing each other’s space in the circle too often.

Dwyer’s introduction settled things and her combination with Koenen – and shooter-to-shooter in particular – was outstanding and she is likely to get another look this series.

Coach Stacey Marinkovich used all 12 players available, while New Zealand’s Dame Noeline Taurua made just one change late in the final term.

Jamie-Lee Price notched up 50 Test for Australia. Picture: Getty Images

PRICE RACKS UP 50 GAMES

It was an unhappy evening for Jamie -Lee Price in her 50th Test for the Diamonds on what should have been a night for celebration.

New Zealand was a fitting scene for Price’s milestone match however. Having started her elite netball journey in Auckland while father Steve was playing in the NRL for the Warriors, Price was forced to decide whether to make herself available for Ferns selection but decided her allegiance lay with Australia.

That has served the World Cup winner well but she did not come up with the chocolates on Sunday night, with midcourt rival Kimiora Poi getting the better of her.

It was a strong win from New Zealand. Picture: Getty Images

KELPIES OPEN SERIES WITH WIN

Earlier, the Australian men’s team thrashed the New Zealand Net Blacks 84-34 in their series opener.

Coach Nerida Stewart was able to give every member of her squad plenty of time on court in their biggest win in six years.

Without star seven-foot target Junior Levi at goal shooter the Kiwis had a new-look squad but had little consistency, turning the ball over on 42 occasions and converting just 38 per cent of their centre passes.

Aussie shooters Jerome Gillbard (23/26) and Brodie Roberts (17/21) were outstanding in half a game each, with Liam Kelly (29/30) and Dravyn Lee-Tauroa (15/20) stepping in seamlessly.

Liam Forcadilla, the men’s world netball player of the year last year, was outstanding in 43 minutes in the midcourt, finishing with 24 goal assists and a massive 41 feeds.

Originally published as Diamonds’ drought in New Zealand continues as Kiwi’s post record breaking score