Dazzling Diamonds won’t take Silver Ferns lightly
THE equation for Australia in Invercargill today is simple – beat New Zealand and claim netball’s Quad Series.
But Diamonds coach Lisa Alexander says nothing is ever straightforward when Australia face their old enemy.
The Diamonds have won four of their past five encounters with New Zealand and go into today’s Quad Series finale as firm favourites as the only undefeated side in the compet- ition after beating England (54-50) in Brisbane last Saturday and South Africa (58-52) in Canberra on Wednesday.
An understrength New Zealand were stunned by England in Auckland on Wednesday and Alexander – who will be coaching her 66th Test as Diamonds boss – said the Silver Ferns could never be underestimated, especially at home.
“It is always a challenge when facing the Silver Ferns on their home soil. We know this will be our hardest test yet, and have been building to this moment,’’ Alexander said.
“They will be hungry after their loss to England and out to prove a point. Without a shadow of a doubt it will take nothing less than our absolute best to come out on top. It will take all of our grit, all of our determination to put out a performance we can be proud of.
“As proud Australians we want to put out our strongest performance yet, for our fans, for our family, for our country.
“The Quad Series title is the goal, but we want to win every quarter before we get there, which we’re yet to achieve.’’
In the old ANZ Championship, Australian and New Zealand club teams met on a weekly basis but with the countries having their own competitions in 2017, there is an element of the unknown.
“We haven’t played against New Zealand all year (but) we have kept an eye on their performances in this series, and the previous Quad Series in January,’’ Alexander said.
“In a sense, our trans-Tasman rivalry has been amplified, as we don’t get to face New Zealand as regularly in this new era of netball.’’
Alexander said Australia needed to up the defensive intensity and cut down on turnovers against the Silver Ferns after the Diamonds were put under immense pressure by a vastly improved South Africa. NEW ZEALAND V AUSTRALIA, 1.30PM, LIVE ON 9GEM