Diamonds win the Constellation Cup despite a thrilling defeat in final game

Australia put themselves in a great position to grab a win on the road in New Zealand, then they got the wobbles. The Diamonds still won the series, but what’s next for this group?

Diamonds coach Stacey Marinkovich has refused to call the Diamonds’ Constellation Cup victory a hollow win despite her side hoisting the trophy on goal difference after a sixth consecutive loss in New Zealand.

The Diamonds put themselves in a position to win the match after pushing their narrow lead out to five goals early in the final quarter at Auckland’s Spark Arena on Monday.

The Silver Ferns had not led at any time in the match and Marinkovich’s rotations seemed as though they were easing tired legs and bringing renewed vigour to the team.

But a four-goal run brought the Ferns back into the match and despite Australia still holding the lead, they got the wobbles.

Australia failed to hold on against New Zealand at the death, but still took home the cup. Picture: Fiona Goodall/Getty Images

A PATTERN?

It has become something of a pattern in the past 15 months for the world champions, who were able to rebound from losses to Jamaica (Commonwealth Games) and England (World Cup) throughout the round stages to win netball’s two benchmark competitions, beating their conquerors to take the cherished prize.

It seemed for most of Monday’s fourth game of the Constellation Cup the pattern would repeat.

Having lost to the Ferns in Invercargill four days earlier, the Diamonds had studied what went wrong, trained to remedy it and headed into the match confident of a win.

It was all going to plan for so long.

Until it wasn’t.

The Silver Ferns finished fourth at the World Cup, their first time off the podium at the major championship.

It was a tough tournament for them - but the absence of Nweke, who bowed out with an injury to the patella tendon in her knee early in the third round can’t be overstated.

The 21-year-old holding shooter is a star of the game but it’s the confidence she gives those around her - and perhaps the fear she strikes in the opposition - that is the real key.

The Ferns drew both quarters she played in the second match of the series in Brisbane, won in Invercargill when she was available for three terms and found her under the post again and again in the final minutes in Auckland in her first full game back.

That’s not to say the Ferns are a one-man band, far from it.

But it is a reflection of a mindset that has frustrated the Diamonds for more than a year as they attempt to put a four-quarter performance together.

Stacey Marinkovich during the recent clash with the Ferns. Picture: Fiona Goodall/Getty Images

WHERE TO NOW?

Marinkovich drew a line in the sand following the World Cup, with Australia now holding every major piece of silverware in the game.

The Diamonds want to take their game to another level.

As frustrating as Monday night’s loss was as the Diamonds hoicked the ball away on several occasions and failed to treasure hard-won turnover possession, Marinkovich just wants her players to learn from it.

“I think we’ve taken some great lessons,” she said when asked to judge the series overall.

“I’ve put combinations out there that are still in their infancy.

“We didn’t have a long lead-in to this tournament - and that’s not an excuse but it’s actually understanding what we were able to focus on in a period of time and what we could put out on court.

“It’s been a big year, we’ve had some incredible success and we’ve got to be able to invigorate what we’re doing out on court and make sure that there’s a new flavour to it as we continue to go forward.

“So we’re still looking for a four-quarter performance against a top-four nations team, that doesn’t change and obviously, we want to play and win in New Zealand, so that’s another challenge.”

But among the need to get better, there’s a need to “take a breath”, she said.

“We’ve taken the Constellation Cup home. That’s a great success of what’s been a great year for us.

“It’s easy in high performance to go, we want to keep going (forward) but I think we also need to go hey, we’re in a good place.”

Cara Koenen is linking up well with Sophie Garbin. Picture: Joe Allison/Getty Images

WHAT WILL CHANGE OF GUARD BRING?

The loss of senior players Ash Brazill (retirement) and Steph Wood (international retirement) gave the Diamonds not just a different look on court but the loss of some senior voices.

But Marinkovich said that would only bring opportunity.

“We’ve got some strong leadership across our team,” she said.

“We’ve had people retire and (others) bring a different Voice and they contribute in different ways. “We’re not wanting (those new) players to be what has left us, but we also need to find that connection and who’s going to speak up and who’s going to make those calls out on court.

“Anytime after a World Cup and you lose some experience. It gives opportunity and we’ve had people that have really stepped into those roles, and we’ve just got to get the consistency within it.”

There were some good signs for the Diamonds, with Cara Koenen’s connection with Sophie Garbin when running at goal attack for the first extended period in her international career, helping the Diamonds find space in the circle as she played to her strengths with speed and agility, while Sunday Aryang’s efforts at wing defence this series have also been encouraging.

Three more players come into the mix for the South Africa series in another chance for a look towards the future.

Liz Watson of Australia (R) and Paige Hadley (L) with the Constellation Cup. Picture: Getty Images

WILL CON CUP CHANGE?

Among discussion over whether the Constellation Cup should move to a five-match series to ensure an outright winner, both Marinkovich and Silver Ferns coach Noeline Taurua hailed the Australia-New Zealand rivalry as one of the sport’s best.

“There’s definitely an intensity around it - we’re just so different with the way that we play and I think that’s what makes it so challenging,” Marinkovich said.

“In a lot of the situations, you you’re playing other countries that have got a little bit more similarities to us and New Zealand is obviously very different. And until you get out against it, you can’t get that learning.

“I just think there’s so much history and passion towards it - and you’ve got two crowds that are just … so respectful of the game.

“So I think that’s what makes it so special when you’re in each other’s space.”

Taurua said the rivalry was the best in the sport outside of the benchmark tournaments.

“It’s the pinnacle event for us behind Commonwealth Games and the worlds and you can’t get any better,” she said.

“I think the traditions and the history that go between the two countries, but I think also the respect as well, so it’s the best - love it.”

Originally published as Diamonds win the Constellation Cup despite a thrilling defeat in final game