‘Panicked’ Diamonds outclassed by Silver Ferns in ‘shock’ Constellation Cup upset
Australia’s all-conquering Diamonds have been demolished in a massive netball upset in the Constellation Cup that no one saw coming.
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New Zealand have defeated the Australian Diamonds 64-50 in a shock upset in Wellington to take a 1-0 lead in the Constellation Cup.
The Silver Ferns dominated virtually the entire game — the 14-goal margin is Australia’s second-worst loss in Constellation Cup history and the biggest loss to the Kiwis since 2010.
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Only one goal separated the teams at quarter time but New Zealand dominated the second quarter to lead 34-25, while the Diamonds looked clunky.
Cath Cox described New Zealand’s play as “absolutely lightning”.
“This attack line looks like the Australian Diamonds attack line, playing with exceptional speed and control,” Cox said in commentary on Fox Netball.
Nat Medhurst said: “In attack they just look so disconnected, so panicked.
“Someone in that Diamonds frontline needs to take some leadership and settle that frontline from them.”
In her 50th game as coach, Stacey Marinkovich rang the changes and brought Cara Koenen (20/22) and Sophie Dwyer (8/12) on for the second half to place Sophie Garbin (13/14) and Kiera Austin (9/14).
Dwyer looked lively but the damage was done in the first half. The Diamonds conceded 16 general play turnovers and were no match for a disciplined Silver Ferns outfit.
Goal shooter Grace Nweke was unstoppable for New Zealand, finishing with 50 goals from 53 attempts.
Captain and goal attack Ameliaranne Ekenasio had 14/15 and was dangerous out the front of the circle feeding high balls into Nweke.
The game was summed up by a mistake in the second quarter when Austin and Koenen played hot potato with the ball, only for Koenen to step out of bounds.
“They’ve obviously got that great target in Grace,” Diamonds captain Liz Watson said.
“In attack we just have to be stronger, take on the physicalty and not fall over as much.
“It was probably a bit of a shock to us.”
The result was particularly surprising given the teams’ contrasting form heading into the Trans-Tasman showdown.
The Diamonds claimed a 2-1 series win over England last month, before the Roses demolished New Zealand to claim a 2-1 win in the Taini Jamison Trophy.
Ex-Silver Fern Cat Tuivati said on Fox Netball: “It’s a very different team we’ve seen tonight than we saw step out against the Roses. And I’m very proud of them.”
Cox said: “It has been a phenomenal performance against the world champion Australian Diamonds.”
Silver Ferns captain Ekenasio said: “We’ve been through some pretty heavy stuff the last couple of days and become super vulnerable with each other.
“We’ve just been way more connected. Getting real with each other has been a game changer. I think we played for each other tonight, which is the difference.”
The loss continues the Diamonds’ dismal record across the ditch in recent times. The Aussies have only won one game on New Zealand soil since 2019 — a win in Christchurch in 2021.
The Diamonds hold the Constellation Cup but they will need to bounce back and figure out a way to stop Nweke, who is joining the NSW Swifts in Super Netball.
A new rule change means for the first time, the series will head to extra time following the fourth game if the series is tied 2-2.
The Diamonds have won the last two Constellation Cup on aggregate thanks to scoring more goals across the four games.
But if it’s all squared up 2-2, there will be a mini match made up of two seven-minute halves to decide the series winner.
The Constellation Cup continues with Game 2 in Auckland on Wednesday before heading to Australia.
Constellation Cup
Game 1 - Sunday October 20: Wellington (New Zealand 64 def Australia 50)
Game 2 - Wednesday October 23: Auckland
Game 3 - Sunday October 27: Perth
Game 4 - Wednesday October 30: Melbourne
Originally published as ‘Panicked’ Diamonds outclassed by Silver Ferns in ‘shock’ Constellation Cup upset
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