Australia Win Game Four to Secure Constellation Cup
18 October, 2018
The Silver Ferns hopes of making a late bid for the Constellation Cup were dashed when Australia took out the deciding
fourth Test with a 58-47 win in Wellington on Thursday.
After dropping the third Test to the Silver Ferns by 11 goals in Hamilton on Sunday, it was a highly-motivated Australia
who turned up for the decider, which the Silver Ferns needed to win by 14 to secure the silverware.
The Silver Ferns were largely on the back foot throughout the lively and bruising clash, but it provided coach Noeline
Taurua the opportunity to give 10 of her squad game time in the final international of the season.
Showing the ease of her transfer from club to international netball, Silver Ferns captain Laura Langman delivered her
usual spirited performance with a wholehearted and enthusiastic outing.
A more consistent Australia held the edge over the New Zealanders throughout but the Silver Ferns showed plenty of
spirit to fight back, several times, from large deficits to stay in the contest as their build towards next year’s World
Cup continues.
Continuing to grow in confidence and build on regular partnerships, the Silver Ferns retained the same starting seven
for a third successive Test while there were a couple of tweaks to Australia’s make-up.
Maria Folau continued her recently-adopted presence in the goal shoot position for the Silver Ferns while the Diamonds
gave starts to playmaking goal attack Gretel Tippett and rising young wing attack Kelsey Browne.
The growing combination between Folau and Te Paea Selby-Rickit showed plenty of early enterprise to absorb the opening
onslaught and help keep the Silver Ferns level-pegging with Australia. Plenty of patience was required from the home
side in the face of a smothering and lively defensive effort from the Diamonds.
At the other end, the twin shooting towers of Tippett and captain Caitlin Bassett provided a rock-solid platform as
Australia hit the first break with a handy 18-13 lead.
Proceedings took a lift in intensity on the resumption, Australia piling on the pressure on the back of a torrid
defensive effort. That was backed up by slick through-court transition with the Diamonds threatening to break loose when
pushing out to a 13-goal lead.
The fresh legs of Sulu Fitzpatrick, replacing Jane Watson at goalkeeper, coincided with a Silver Ferns revival in an
increasingly physical contest. Getting their hands on more turnover opportunities, the Silver Ferns chipped away at the
deficit, the ever-effective Watson returning to the court at goal defence just ahead of the main break.
However, it was Australia who maintained overall control when leading 32-24 at halftime.
It was more of the same during a willing third stanza with little respite for the Silver Ferns who struggled to break
the shackles of Australia’s tightening grip. Well-drilled and accurate on attack, while backed up by a productive
defensive attitude offered Australia plenty of chances.
Denied the same opportunities, the Silver Ferns fell behind in the possession stakes while battling to contain
Australia’s menace under the hoop. Teenaged shooter Aliyah Dunn joined the match early in the third stanza for the
Silver Ferns but it was Australia who took an imposing 46-33 lead into the last break.
Shooting Stats - Silver Ferns:
Maria Folau 27/34 (79%)
Te Paea Selby-Rickit 13/19 (68%)
Maia Wilson 4/8 (50%)
Aliyah Dunn 3/4 (75%)
Shooting Stats - Australia:
Caitlin Bassett 37/43 (86%)
Gretel Tippett 21/25 (84%)
ends