Netball: Silver Ferns go down to Australia

Australia 51 New Zealand 44

Cathrine Latu was the Silver Ferns' silver lining in a disappointing 51-44 defeat to the Diamonds in Adelaide last night.

The New Zealanders were in control of the match going into the final quarter, but had a meltdown when it mattered most, the Australians drawing the Constellation Cup series 2-2 with the decider in Melbourne on Sunday afternoon.

It was an extremely disappointing finish from the Silver Ferns, who had done so well in fighting back at the death to win by one goal in Perth last Sunday.

But there were some positives for new coach Wai Taumaunu - and the main one was the performance of Latu, at least for three-quarters of the match.

It was former Samoa player Latu's first match against the Australians for the Silver Ferns and she hit the Adelaide Entertainment Centre court running, shooting nine from 10 in the first quarter.

The 25-year-old goal shoot, a robust figure on attack, quickly struck up a relationship with skilfull goal attack and fellow Mystics player Maria Tutuaia.

Taumaunu told the TV commentators during the match of her reasoning behind Latu's selection: "You have to do it sometime so you might as well do it now." She said the reaction from regular goal shoot Irene van Dyk was "hugely supportive".

It's clear the Silver Ferns have found someone to step into the considerable shoes of their 39-year-old vice-captain Van Dyk, who was put into the unusual position of sitting out the entire match.

Captain Laura Langman had to receive attention for a blow to the neck early in the second quarter and her first act afterwards was to pass the ball out of court. She was determined to be a dominant figure and covered a lot of the court and while not all of her passing was as accurate as she would have liked, she held the team together well until its late slip.

It was a match which seesawed from outstanding skill to simple mistakes. While the Silver Ferns on Sunday broke their habit of going out to an early lead only to succumb in the final moments to Australia, tonight's match was a much more even affair.

The largest lead they reached was a mere five goals early in the first quarter. But the Diamonds went out to a quick lead in the final quarter and the New Zealanders failed to respond.

Australian goal shoot Catherine Cox said at halftime:"Defensively I think we can give a lot more." And she took her advice to heart, taking every rebound that was going in the final quarter.

While Latu had a quiet final few moments as the opportunities dried up in the face of the Australian pressure, she will be pleased with her game and all eyes will be on the New Zealand team which runs on to the court in Melbourne to see if Taumaunu sticks with her bold pick ahead of the vastly experienced Van Dyk.

First quarter: NZ 14-12; HT: NZ 26-25; Third quarter: 36-36.