Netball: Australians shock Ferns

Sharelle McMahon of Australia shoots for goal. Chris McGrath / Getty Images

Australia 48 New Zealand 38

Experimentation and injury proved costly for the Silver Ferns when they lost the second netball test to Australia in a major shock last night.

The two-match series was drawn 1-1.

It was a huge form reversal after the Silver Ferns won by 12 goals in the first test in Brisbane on Saturday night.

The New Zealanders had won nine of their past 11 matches, including the last four in a row, against their biggest rivals.

Their troubles began after just two minutes when centre Temepara George suffered a side strain and left the court. Wing defence Laura Langman shifted into centre, while Joline Henry came on in her place.

It was the first loss for the world and Commonwealth Games champions since the Australians beat them 53-51 at Melbourne in November 2004 and only the fifth loss for coach Ruth Aitken in 51 matches at the helm.

It was also Australian coach Norma Plummer's first win over the New Zealanders since that 2004 match in Melbourne and came a day after she described the Silver Ferns as "the best I've ever seen".

The Australians played with far more purpose and vigour than in their Brisbane effort, bettering the Silver Ferns with rebounds and intercepts that were inspired by the determination of co-captains Sharelle McMahon and Liz Ellis.

Aitken's major gamble of not starting with ace shooter Irene van Dyk backfired, with Maria Tutaia starting shakily in her place.

The coach's aim for the series was to win but also to give her squad as much experience as possible, with the world championships in Fiji only a year away.

Belinda Colling began at goal attack and the first change was Casey Williams, coming in for Leana de Bruin at goal defence.

The Silver Ferns missed van Dyk's composure as Tutaia muffed her first four scoring attempts, while at the other end of the court Susan Pratley and McMahon started brilliantly, taking their side out to a 7-2 lead.

The changes saw a loss of fluidity throughout the court and the Australians took advantage to lead 12-8 at the first quarter break.

Van Dyk took the court in the second quarter, slotting her first goal with ease, but the Australians had their tails in the air and extended their lead to 27-19 at halftime.

George returned to the court in the third quarter but even she, still hampered by her injury, couldn't turn the tide.

The Australians leapt out to an 11-point lead midway through the quarter and maintained that until the break before the last 15 minutes, with van Dyk restricted to just four attempts at goal and succeeding with only two.

Colling also left the court injured in the third quarter.

The New Zealanders tried hard in the final quarter, but still lacked precision and had to bow to a better team on the night.

- NZPA