Netball: Ferns fall yet again to Aussies

Caitlin Bassett of Australia and Casey Kopua of New Zealand. Photo / Getty Images

They came to Melbourne in the hope of regaining some respectability after a 17-goal hammering in last week's Constellation Cup opener. For a few crazy minutes early on in the final quarter of last night's second test, it looked as if the Silver Ferns were going to pull off the unthinkable.

After trailing Australia by six goals at the final change of ends of a topsy turvy clash, the New Zealand side closed to within two of the Diamonds early on in the final period. This was the same Diamonds side that have demolished the Ferns by nearly 20 goals in both their previous two outings.

But just when New Zealand were beginning to put the Diamonds under real pressure, with captain Casey Kopua in particular coming up with some brilliant defensive plays, the wheels fell off for the Ferns, with a couple of crucial errors on attack allowing Australia to pull away again for a comfortable win.

In the end the 49-40 scoreline probably flattered the Diamonds, with the New Zealand side much more competitive than what the scoreboard suggests. But while it may have been a vast improvement from their 17-goal capitulation in the opening test in Invercargill, the reality is the Ferns have now lost the last seven matches against their transtasman rivals. The New Zealand side remains in a deep hole.

As well as a more robust defensive showing from New Zealand, one of the key bright sparks for coach Waimarama Taumaunu was the performance of debutant Ameliaranne Wells, who, despite only being involved with the New Zealand programme for a week and a half, combined remarkably well with Cathrine Latu. Queensland-born Wells provided some deft touches with her balls into the circle, while her long-range shooting helped take the pressure off Latu, who shot 25/25.

With the World Cup only 10 months away, the Ferns will need to continue to make progress in the final two tests in Sydney (Saturday) and Auckland (Wednesday).

Taumaunu made three changes to her starting line-up for the second test, rewarding the side that drew the final quarter of the opening test in Invercargill and handing Bailey Mes (GA) and Grace Rasmussen (WA) their first starts against Australia.

The work the Ferns had done on their through-court defence following the opening test was immediately obvious from the opening whistle, with the Diamonds unable to bring the ball through the court at the same speed and fluidity they enjoyed in Invercargill.

While Mes did a good job defensively, with only a one from four return from her shots at goal a change had to be made at the first break. Taumaunu opted to inject Wells into the mix just two months after her New Zealand eligibility was discovered.

Wells made an immediate impact, landing her first shot at goal in confident fashion as she helped her side to win the second spell 14-13.

After doing a good job of keeping it close in the first half, any hopes the Ferns had of pulling off a stunning reversal looked to have been snuffed out in early in the third spell as the home side opened the period with an 8-1 run to push out to a 32-22 lead.

At that point it looked as if the match would play out much the way the last two meetings between these two sides have - Australia storming to a comfortable victory. But the Silver Ferns regained their composure as Liana Leota, who was introduced at wing attack at halftime, settled into her workload.

Q1: 11-7
Q2: 24-21 (13-14)
Q3: 35-29 (11-8)
Q4: 49-40 (14-11)

Shooting stats:

Australia
• Caitlin Bassett 33/40
• Natalie Medhurst 7/7
• Tegan Caldwell 9/10

New Zealand
• Cathrine Latu 25/25
• Bailey Mes 1/4
• Ameliaranne Wells 14/20.

Australia 49
Silver Ferns 40