Diamonds Netball World Cup: Australia defeat Scotland as Ash Brazill winds back the clock

The Diamonds made light work of Scotland in Cape Town as an Aussie veteran proved there’s plenty of life left in her career. See the details here.

The Diamonds are one of the favourites for the World Cup trophy

The Diamonds rested “old girl” Ash Brazill from their game against Fiji yesterday but the 33-year-old has showed there’s plenty of gas in the tank in what will be her first and last World Cup.

While it’s often tough for wing defenders to rack up stats given the nature of their tagging job, Brazill was outstanding in the Diamonds’ 76-37 win over Scotland at the Netball World Cup.

Brazill finished with three gains from three intercepts, as well as three defelections, a pick-up and seven centre pass receives in a workaholic performance over three quarters.

Coach Stacey Marinkovich jokingly referred to Brazill as an “old girl” on Sunday when explaining why she had chosen to rest her from the clash against Fiji and while Brazill said she had enjoyed the day off, she was “super eager” to return to the fray against the Thistles.

“I feel like I’m the biggest cheer leader in the team for all the girls, so it was nice to sit back and watch the girls do their thing,” she said.

“But my family arrived yesterday, so it was their first time seeing me play and I think that gave me that lift as well.”

Ash Brazill was prolific in wing defence. Picture: Netball World Cup 2023

Brazill was part of a Diamonds defence that suffocated Scotland for most of the match bar a short period in the third term during which the Thistles went goal-for-goal with the world no.1.

Sarah Klau was also impressive, sending Diamonds coaching staff a reminder she’s arrived in Cape Town in peak form with another stellar showing.

Injected at goalkeeper in the second half, the NSW Swifts defender showed she’s carried her Super Netball form into the sport’s pinnacle tournament, with a dominant showing in the defensive circle.

Klau finished with six gains including two inctercepts, two deflections resulting in turnover ball and two rebounds to form part of an at-times impenetrable defensive machine for the Australians.

It started with another tone-setting showing from Courtney Bruce and included forced turnovers from every defender in a gold dress.

Brazill was key to setting that tone but said the fact that this was her international swansong is not adding any pressure to her tournament.

“Representing your country is pretty exciting,” she said.

“I announced my retirement early in the year and I think I did that because I’m so comfortable where I’m at in my career, there’s nothing I would change and I’m happy with what I’ve done so I wanted to announce it because if I did get injured through SSN (Super Netball) I wanted people to know that was my last game and I was happy to finish there.

“This is just a bonus. I wasn’t expecting to make this side, there’s so many brilliant players, so this has just been a bonus and I’m loving every moment.”

Jamie-Lee Price was the official MVP after a dynamic showing in which she had 16 goal assists, 23 feeds and five gains.

After a mercurial first quarter in which she contributed three turnovers as well as three gains, Price was rested but injected for the second half and dominated the midcourt in concert with captain Liz Watson.

The win against Scotland is Australia’s 10th at World Cup from 10 matches and marks the start of their preliminary crossover rounds.

Sarah Klau was also dominant in the Diamonds defence.

They take on Malawai tomorrow in what shapes as a physical test before the pointy end of the tournament starts with a clash against England on Thursday that will determined who tops their side of the draw and takes top seeding into the semi-finals.

News of Silver Ferns shooter Grace Nweke’s tournament-ending knee injury makes winning that contest even more important for the Diamonds, with the Ferns arguably weakened by the loss of the Quad Series MVP despite the fact they’ve been able to inject the experienced Tiana Metuarau into the tournament under the sport’s new replacement policy.

Marinkovich said the Aussies were gutted for Nweke.

“we really do feel for Grace, she’s done an incredible preparation and is obviously a key role,” Marinkovich said.

“But at the same time, New Zealand’s a classy outfit and they’ve rotated their bench, they’ve got some real experience in their circle with Maia (Wilson), with Ameliaranne (Ekenasio), so they’ve got a different dynamic.

“They can still hold, they can still move and I wouldn’t say that they’re not still a real strong competitor.

“I know (coach) Noeline (Taurua) would have plan A-Z as what we do - you have to select so that you have all based covered.

“But we are gutted for Grace, it’s a really tough thing, particularly in a World Cup, but I also know New Zealand is a classy outfit and I don’t think that allows anybody to take their foot off the pedal.”

SCOREBOARD

AUSTRALIA 76 (Garbin 38, Koenen 25, Austin 8, Wood 5)

SCOTLAND 37 (Barrie 14, Goodwin 11, Cairns 8, McCall 4)

BLOG: AUSSIE WIN AS IT HAPPENED

Q4 10MINS AUS 65-33 SCOT

Is fatigue setting in for some Diamonds? By noe means will they blow this lead, of course not but there’s some sloppy ply creeping in and it’s not a sign one wants to see when you know the opposition is only getting harder from here on in.

Austin and Koenen also not a functioning combination in attack, good intel for Marinkovic but it’s awkward looking. They can’t call each others games.

JLP having a belter of a match here today, she’s done enough to start against Malawi tomorrow - that or she’s rested in anticipation of England later this week.

DOMINANT DIAMONDS

Marinkovich has said she is “extremely privileged” to have the depth she does at her disposal this World Cup and that’s on display here against Scotland.

Regardless of the shooting, defensive or midcourt combinations she’s put on court, the Diamonds are dominating the Thistles, with no noticeable dip in standard regardless of the combination run.

It hasn’t shown on the scoreboard though, the 15-11 quarter the Diamonds’ worst so far - both for goals conceded and scored.

But any other coach at the tournament would love to be in Marinkovich’s position.

THREE QUARTER TIME AUS 58- 28 SCOT

From Emma in Cape Town

After being rested against Fiji, Brazill is having an outstanding impact against Scotland as the Diamonds

While it’s often tough for wing defenders to rack up stats given the nature of their tagging job, Brazill has had a hand - literally - in almost everything going on, on court.

The 33-year-old has had two gains from two intercepts, as well as three defelections and four centre pass receives.

Suffice to say, she’s doing plenty of work.

Courtney Bruce also shows no sign of going off the boil after a start to the tournament that has included two player of the match medals.

Bruce has had five gains for the Diamonds, including two intercepts, as well as two rebounds.

She moves forward to goal defence for the third term as Marinkovich makes changes for the third quarter.

Price has come back into the game at centre, with Watson moving to wing attack.

And a new shooting combination has been introduced, with Cara Koenen and Kiera Austin at shooter and goal attack.

Sarah Klau is at goalkeeper, with Sunday Aryang, who came on at goal defence midway through the second quarter, at wing defence.

Ash Brazill is having a stand out match against Scotland

Q3 5MINS AUS 47-19 SCOT

Here’s what Stacey Marinkovich had to say after the first half.

“For the long court we’re trying to reard the long ball we’re getting but we’ve been untidy so far and I want to see more discipline. Jo going straight to a warning we made the change so we’ve adjusted to what the umpires are calling.

“We cant just rely on athleticism we have to keep our structures and everyone taking accountability for their own.”

Cara Koenen is now on wqith Kiera Austin in attack and the Scots don’t seem to understand they need to mark them both. Massive holes in their defence.

HALF-TIME AUS 43-16 SCOT

Well that escalated fast didn’t it? Garbin with massive numbers 38/40 - somewhere she’s dropped 5%. The stats are however showing that Garbin with Wood is not the greatest of combos, Wood at 68% accuracy so this partnership isn’t firing.

That said, how wonderful is watching netball without the super shot!

Q2 10MINS AUS 32-11 SCOT

Incredible court order form the Aussies, Cath Cox can’t contain herself and rightly so.

Wood, Hadley, Garbin again, not even so mauch as a glance to check their teammate is there, they just know. Stunning formation, perfect passing and execution.

Q2 5MINS AUS 28-13 SCOT

Incredible shooting from the Scottish end - when they get the opportunity that is. They’ve started the second as they did the first, strong and competitive. How long will it last?

FROM Emma in Cape Town: Sophie Garbin has picked up where she left off against Fiji on Sunday, pouring in 19 goals at 100 per cent accuracy in the opening term against Scotland.

The Diamonds took a 21-9 lead to the opening break but they would not be totally happy with their lot after committing eight turnovers, three of them coming through the hands of Price at centre.

They had a similar start against Fiji yesterday, turning the ball over seven times in the opening term - but only losing the ball another eight times throughout the final three terms.

Marinkovich will be looking for a similar tightening up in this term despite the Diamonds already being in control of the match.

Watson has been injected at centre for the second term in an otherwise unchanged line-up.

BREAKING NEWS

A massive blow to the New Zealand campaign with Grace Nweke ruled out of the World Cup.

A statement from the NZ Netball governing body said: “Absolutely devastating news to share that shooter Grace Nweke has been ruled out of the Netball World Cup after scans today confirmed a partial tear in her patella tendon.

“Travelling reserve Tiana Metuarau has been called into the playing 12 for the remainder of the tournament.”

From Emma courtside in Cape Town

While the Diamonds are worried about Scotland, there’s breaking news from the tournament, with New Zealand shooter Grace Nweke reportedly ruled out for the tournament.

Nweke suffered a niggle in the Silver Ferns’ clash against Singapore, leaving the court with a knee injury in the third quarter.

While coach Noeline Taurua seemed relatively upbeat in her post-match press conference, she did say the medical staff would continue to assess the rising star and she’s been ruled out with a partial tear to her patella tendon.

The one silver lining for the Ferns though is they will be able to replace her under new rules in place for the tournament, with a reserve to come in, in her place.

It’s a massive blow though, with Nweke named player of the tournament at the Quad Series in January and a key plank of the Kiwis’ bid to retain the World Cup title they won in 2019.

New Zealand has requested and been granted, a permanent replacement for Nweke, with Tiana Metuarau to come in for the Ferns’ clash against Wales in the next match on court.

Grace Nweke of New Zealand

QUARTER TIME AUS 21-9 SCOT

Scotland have been caught napping. A terrific opening five minutes has turned to haggis. The Diamonds, yet to lose a quarter of netball this tournament, maintain their 100% record with Garbin in fantastic form shooting 17 for 100%

Q1 10MINS AUS 14-5 SCOT

Much as the Scots are here to play and enjoying their best start to a match this World Cup I might add, they’re falling short in how to compete with the Aussies in the mid court. Turnovers fast and often giving the Diamonds ample time to extend their lead.

Scotland also have a centre pass issue - converting just 64% this tournament, they need to address that if they’re going to compete with the big sides.

Q1 6MINS AUS 6-4 SCOT

We are underway in Cape Town and it’s a no nonsense start from Scotland who have come in with the “nothing to lose” attitude they needed.

Wood-Hadley-Garbin combo is working a charm so far this afternoon for the Australian attack. Garbin has well and truly dusted off those cobwebs.

4:45PM TEAM NEWS

Sophie Garbin has earnt another start for the Diamonds after her 54-goal epic against Fiji, with coach Stacey Marinkovich pair her with vice-captain Steph Wood in the shooting circle to start against Scotland.

Marinkovich has again mixed up her starting seven, resting captain Liz Watson, with Paige Hadley winning the start at wing attack and Jamie-Lee Price at centre with Ash Brazill completing the midcourt.

Brazill was rested against Fiji yesterday, with Marinkovich determined to keep players fresh for the pointy end of the tournament.

Jo Weston and Courtney Bruce will start in defence in the Aussies’ fourth different starting defensive combination.

The clash against the Thistles is the 10th World Cup meeting between Australia and Scotland, with the Diamonds having won all nine previous encounters.

The last meeting between the countries at a World Cup was in 2007 in Auckland and Australia won 93-20.

The game is the first in the crossover stage of preliminaries, where the Aussies will also face Malawi (Tuesday) and England (Thursday).

4:15PM WHO CAN CHALLENGE AUSTRAIA?

The Australian Diamonds have encountered few challenges so far this netball World Cup, finishing top of their pool and now taking on Scotland in the second stage of the tournament.

Against Fiji they brought up triple figures in a lopsided match that could hardly be called a contest.

Today’s clash stands to be a close encounter with Scotland ranked 10th in the world.

Sophie Garbin shook off a miserable domestic season netting 54 goals in their 101-32 victory against Fiji.

In just the 15th time a team had posted a century in a World Cup match, the Diamonds were brutal against their Oceania neighbours, dominating from the start to ensure they topped Pool A.

Having topped their pool Australia’s next three challenges include England, Malawi and Scotland.

FINAL TEAM LIST

GS - Sophie Garbin

GA - Steph Wood (vice captain)

WA - Paige Hadley

C - Jamie-Lee Price

WD - Ash Brazill

GD - Joanna Weston

GK - Courtney Bruce

Originally published as Diamonds Netball World Cup: Australia defeat Scotland as Ash Brazill winds back the clock