Aussie litmus test awaits Ferns
Silver Ferns captain Katrina Grant still gets grumpy thinking about October’s 4-0 Constellation Cup clean sweep by Australia.
No sooner had New Zealand overcome a dogged South Africa 51-46 in the Quad Series in Johannesburg yesterday, Grant and her team-mates were thinking about a shot at redemption.
They meet their trans-Tasman rival in the Quad Series finale at the same venue tomorrow night (NZT).
It will be the last showdown between the sides until they meet in a potential semifinal or gold medal match at April’s Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast.
The Silver Ferns were bitterly disappointing in the Constellation Cup with the losing margin (three, eight, 12 and 16) increasing steadily with each performance, which irked Grant.
New Zealand went into that series on the back of a characterbuilding 57-47 victory over the Diamonds in Invercargill in September, which helped them clinch the Quad Series. To follow up that result with such a meek effort in the Constellation Cup annoyed Grant and she said they were highly motivated to atone.
‘‘Con Cup last year didn’t go to plan, absolutely not.
‘‘I think we’ve come a long way since then, but Sunday is going to be the telling point and whether we can really improve ourselves and show where we’ve come and what we’ve learned from that.’’
Australia have dominated the Silver Ferns during Janine Southby’s tenure as coach since late 2015, winning nine of the 11 matches between the sides.
The 10-goal thumping dished out in Invercargill was built around a fast start and disrupting the Australian midcourt, which produced slow ball into star shooter Caitlin Bassett and mistakes in their attacking end. Drawing on what worked successfully in that match would be key for the Ferns, Grant said.
‘‘We just need to back ourselves in our own game and stick to our game plan and keep hustling and keep going for ball. Keep letting the ball go and not get caught up in whatever Australia are doing ... and stay together.’’
Grant was proud of the way her side responded against a vastly improved South Africa after last Sunday’s 64-57 extra time loss to England in London, where the Silver Ferns blew a six-goal lead with 10 minutes left.
New Zealand also avoided an unwanted piece of history. Victory over South Africa ended a five game losing streak dating back to the Constellation Cup. A shock loss to South Africa would have been their sixth defeat on the bounce, which has never previously happened.
It wasn’t a vintage showing with too much possession squandered away in the attacking end and the shooters only landing 51/69 (74 per cent) of their attempts. Maria Folau (nee Tutaia) missed 10 of her 33 attempts, but was ice cool when it mattered, sinking her trademark long bombs and several high pressure fourth quarter goals.
South Africa have been massive improvers in world netball over the past two years under the tutelage of colourful former Australian coach Norma Plummer. Several of their leading players are competing professionally in England, New Zealand and Australia, which has lifted their standard and fitness.
The Proteas only lost 50-46 to Australia in London last Sunday and stuck with the Silver Ferns all the way. South Africa trailed by three goals (47-44) with five minutes to play, but crucial intercepts from Sam Sinclair and Temalisi Fakahokotau, combined with a Grant defensive tip, helped the Silver Ferns build some breathing space.