Diamonds retain Constellation Cup on goal difference after three-goal loss to New Zealand

The Diamonds have retained the Constellation Cup but not the way they were hoping, winning the series on goal difference after surrendering a late lead in the final match.

Australia’s netball hoodoo in New Zealand continues, with the Diamonds blowing a five-goal final-quarter lead to lose the final Constellation Cup match 53-50 in Auckland.

The result leaves the series split 2-2, with both the Diamonds and Ferns winning their home Tests, as was the case last year.

But the Diamonds retain the Cup with a +13 goal difference across the series.

In an incredibly physical encounter, the Diamonds wilted under enormous physical pressure in the final term despite having put themselves in a position to win.

Heading into the quarter with a three-goal lead, Australia pushed the margin out to five early in the term before a couple of turnovers from poor passes allowed the Ferns back into the match.

When they took the lead for the first time in the game with just under 10 minutes remaining, the roof almost came off the indoor Spark Arena.

The Diamonds’ losing streak now extends six matches, back to game two of the 2021 Constellation Cup series - coach Stacey Marinkovich’s first tournament in charge.

“It was a hard-fought game all over the court and we’re certainly learning some incredible lessons playing over in New Zealand,” Marinkovich said.

“I thought we were strong and we had opportunities to push the score out and we let them slide.

“And you can’t do that obviously against the Silver Ferns because they surge and they keep coming - and we just lost our rhythm towards the end.”

New Zealand goaler Grace Nweke, playing her first full match in the series coming back from a knee injury, was again the difference for the Kiwis, finishing with 43 goals, with just two misses.

The Diamonds failed to hold onto their fourth-quarter lead. Picture: Getty Images

The Diamonds finished with just three gains for the match, frustrated by the Kiwis’ pin-point high passes into their 193cm goaler.

Australia received no favours from the umpires in the final term but they were not whistled out of the match.

Instead, they were their own worst enemies, turning the ball over five times in the final quarter, with the Ferns capitalising on the free ball.

New Zealand finished with 10 goals from gains, to the Diamonds’ three and Australia again could not maintain full composure under pressure.

It’s something that captain Liz Watson conceded picking up the trophy.

“It’s been a pretty special year for us but we’re obviously disappointed with our last two games but happy to come away with the Cup,” Watson said.

Asked how the Diamonds dealt with the pressure that the crowd of more than 5000 at Spark Arena, Watson was brutally honest.

“We don’t,” she said.

That’s obviously something that we need to work on - the fans are so passionate.”

Marinkovich was not as brutal as her captain in her assessment of the series.

“There were some really good things that I’m pleased with and were transferable off what we are doing in training - and then moments when we’ve got to be able to connect out on court,” she said.

Goalkeeper Courtney Bruce had been trying to calm her troops in the final term, reminding them they were still ahead on the scoreboard despite the din coming from the arena.

“I was just trying to remind everyone that it’s just noise,” Bruce said.

Liz Watson and Paige Hadley with the Constellation Cup. Picture: Getty Images

“It’s a perceived pressure out there. It’s really hard sometimes to get that message down from goalkeeper - but just trying to get that message down from (defence) to talk to our attackers (and remind them) that it is just noise and just try to remind them that we train harder than any game that we will ever play.

“So we know what to do. It’s just trying to reassure the attacking end.”

Silver Ferns captain Ameliaranne Ekenasio was proud of her troops after winning the final two games of the series following their fourth placing at the World Cup.

“Really proud of the girls, these guys are absolutely unreal,” she said.

“We showed so much growth, even though we won that game, we don’t come away with the Cup but I’m super proud.”

World Cup final hero Sophie Garbin was solid for the Diamonds with 37 goals from 40 attempts, with her combination with Cara Koenen at goal attack something that is likely to be explored further in the series against South Africa.

Watson was an absolute workhorse with 28 goal assists and 48 feeds and 60 minutes worth of intense attention from wing defence Kate Heffernan and Karin Burger, in her 50th Test.

There’s little respite for the Aussies who are on a plane back to Australia in just over 12 hours’ time before the opening match of their three-game series against South Africa.

Originally published as Diamonds retain Constellation Cup on goal difference after three-goal loss to New Zealand