By Ben McKay
A flawless shooting performance from Grace Nweke have helped the Silver Ferns defeat Australia 52-48, putting New Zealand on the brink of defending the Constellation Cup.
Nweke put on a clinic in Tauranga, shooting 37 of 37 to give New Zealand a second straight win in the four-game series.
Australia’s Amy Parmenter in action against New Zealand on Sunday.Credit:Getty
The Diamonds, Commonwealth Games champions, must now win both home games next week and overturn their goal deficit to regain the trophy.
Outside the court, Australia also have other off-field issues to resolve, including a player protest in response to Netball Australia’s new sponsor: Gina Rinehart’s mining behemoth Hancock Prospecting.
The ABC has reported the Diamonds are refusing to wear a new uniform with the Hancock logo, standing alongside Indigenous player Donnell Wallam, who has objected due to the company’s record on Indigenous issues.
The decision, taken in the hours before Wednesday’s opening match, sparked a rushed search for new kit, and may explain their worst opening quarter in Constellation Cup history, when Australia trailed 20-9 before falling to a 56-48 loss.
The players have resolved to continue playing in a dress without Hancock sponsorship, and will revisit the issue after the conclusion of the series.
On Sunday, Australia were bright and attentive from the first pass, thanks in part to an improved shooting effort from Steph Wood.
The goal attack, in for Gretal Bueta, who has taken maternity leave, shot at 68 per cent in game one but was superb under the net in game two, shooting 21 from 23, including several from distance.
A super Liz Watson intercept from the centre pass helped give Australia an early break, grabbing the lead from 9-9 through to half-time, when the scored read 25-24.
Grace Nweke starred for the Silver Ferns.Credit:Getty
Stacey Marinkovich’s side needed to be sharp as the Silver Ferns weren’t giving them anything.
Nweke and captain Ameliaranne Ekenasio were both perfect through to the brink of three-quarter time, when Ekenasio finally blotted her copybook.
By that stage, New Zealand had taken over, capitalising on Australian errors to pull away.
Nweke’s success owed plenty to the Kiwi midcourt, with wing attack Peta Toeava laying of a game-high 27 assists – the match’s shortest player displaying the widest passing game.
Marinkovich offered first caps to Sophie Dwyer, Maddy Proud, and later, Ruby Bakewell-Doran in the second half, but their energy couldn’t stem the tide.
“We’ve always been strong about finishing well against Aussie,” Ekenasio said.
“We really trusted what we had in the bank tonight. We knew what we had to do … it just took us a little while to find the ability.”
The series concludes with matches in Melbourne on Wednesday and Gold Coast on Sunday.
