Lapses hurt Ferns, says Kopua
THE Silver Ferns know too well how costly a couple of bad minutes can be against Australia.
New Zealand must beat the Diamonds in game two of the Constellation Cup series in Auckland tonight if they are to stay alive in the four-game series.
World Cup champions Australia ran out 50-44 victors in the opening clash in Christchurch on Tuesday, with New Zealand paying the price for a poor start to the second quarter.
They were firmly in the contest, trailing 14-13 after the first term, but a bright beginning to the second quarter saw Australia jump out to a 19-15 lead.
New Zealand captain Casey Kopua said all it took was a few silly turnovers or missed goals and you were chasing the game against the clinical Diamonds.
Avoiding those quiet lulls would be paramount heading into the second test.
‘‘I think we know we can’t play catch-up netball against Australia. You have a lapse of concentration or consistency and it can go just like that,’’ Kopua said.
‘‘We want it bad. We want to win . . . we’ll do anything possible to make it count.’’
Australia have dominated New Zealand in the Constellation Cup, winning the last nine meeting between the two sides.
The Silver Ferns last Constellation Cup win came in September 2013, with their only series triumph occurring in 2012.
Kopua said there had been some promising play in the opening test, but they had not been consistent enough.
She was happy with their start after a dreadful first quarter in the World Cup final in August.
Shooters Bailey Mes and Jodi Brown had their moments as a combination, but needed a greater supply of ball.
‘‘We do need to get more ball, but obviously against Australia, it’s quite hard to get it. When we do get it, we do need to score it.
‘‘We only lost by six, which is three turnovers. It’s nothing major.’’
Silver Ferns coach Wai Taumaunu indicated after game one that she would probably hand Brown another start at goal attack. The 58-test veteran slotted 20 of 25 and will only be stronger for another run alongside Mes.
There was plenty of rustiness from both sides in the first half in Christchurch with neither having played an international since the World Cup final on August 16.
Kopua, who is poised to become the sixth Silver Fern to play 100 tests in game three in Melbourne Australia’s playmaker, goal attack Natalie Medhurst, who was named player of the match.
Medhurst shot 12/14, but was a perfect foil to prolific goal shoot Caitlin Bassett [38/44], dishing out 13 assists and taking 25 centre passes.
Kopua stressed it was vital the New Zealand midcourters and defensive end applied greater pressure on Medhurst.
‘‘They have a great connection. We tried to break that connection down. We need to try and take her out of the game, not physically . . . so she can’t do what she wants to do.’’