The Australian Diamonds sit atop the Quad Series table after a two-goal win over New
Zealand in Cape Town this morning powered by a brilliant performance from vice-captain
Steph Wood in goals.
Here are the big talking points out of the side’s second Test of the series.
Wood channels anger to deliver
Australian shooter Steph Wood used criticism of her on-court demeanour to fuel an MVP
performance in Australia’s win over the Silver Ferns.
Paired with her Sunshine Coast Lightning shooting partner Cara Koenen, the 31-year-old goal
attack shot 21 from 24 at 87% accuracy across the match and was able to exploit a height and
speed mismatch with 192cm Kelly Jury.
Jury, despite being regarded as a specialist goal keeper, was sent to goal defence by Dame
Noeline Taurua in the last quarter and 175cm Wood took full advantage, shooting 8/9 and
seemingly doing as she pleased outside the circle.
Post-game, vice-captain Wood said she had been disappointed with her game against England.
She scored 8/11 at 73% accuracy and was replaced by Kiera Austin in the third quarter.
“Sometimes people say I look a bit angry, so I took a bit of that and channelled that and just
wanted to put out a good performance today,” she said.
Wood said her side was determined to deliver the “Diamonds brand” against the Ferns.
“I think we did it for a solid part of that game. It’s just doing it across 60 minutes … is what we’re trying to work towards,” she said.
Australia dominate England in Cape Town | 01:04
Start me up: Key problem remains
Despite banking wins against England and New Zealand so far this series, the way the
Diamonds are starting matches and quarters remains a concern.
On Sunday, the Roses got an 11/4 jump on the Aussies before they clawed their way back in
and also scored three straight at the start of the third. In this morning’s win over the Silver
Ferns, starting slowly aga8kin proved costly.
After going goal-for-goal for the opening two minutes, the Diamonds allowed New Zealand to
pile on three in a row and get out to a small lead and in the second, the Ferns managed the first four before Stacey Marinkovich’s team returned fire.
Captain Liz Watson addressed it after the win. “It seems to be a bit of a problem for us at the
moment. Starts (are) something we really need to work on,” she said.
“It’s good that we can get back into the game and build on it, but you want to have a good start against great teams, so hopefully the next match we can nail that.”
Watson was otherwise happy with the victory. “It’s always a grind against New Zealand. I was
really proud that we could stick at it and then when the game opened up in the end, to take it
on. A great win all round.”
Bruce manages early caution
When Diamonds goal defence Courtney Bruce was handed a caution by English umpire Gary
Burgess a few minutes into the clash with New Zealand, her game could have gone one of two ways.
Bruce, rightly penalised for holding the arm of Silver Ferns captain Ameliaranne Ekenasio
outside the circle just over three minutes into the first, could have become frustrated or over-
careful as she tried to avoid further sanction.
Fox Netball commentator Cath Cox described it as one of the fastest cautions she’d seen.
“What does Courtney Bruce do now? She wants to push the limits, but she’s now been
cautioned and needs to pull back.”
The MVP of the first Test kept her head in the game and although she picked up more penalties – finishing with 12 contacts and a game-high five obstructions – Bruce was vital in the win.
Playing in her 59 th Test, Bruce banked three intercepts, all in the vital third quarter when she
played on Maia Wilson, at the end being umpired by Burgess.
Bruce, usually a goal keeper, is playing goal defence in the absence of Jo Weston, who is
managing a minor calf injury.
Back from illness, Brazill puts hand up
After falling victim to gastro and missing the first Test, Aussie midcourter Ash Brazill this
morning returned to the Diamonds’ starting line-up for the first time since the Commonwealth
Games last year. And she put her hand firmly in the air for World Cup selection.
The 33-year-old wing defence is looking to reclaim a spot after opting out of the Constellation
Cup and a series against England late last year because of AFLW and family commitments.
Brazill was a late withdrawal from the game-day 12 on Sunday and revealed this morning it was due to illness.
“I made very good friends with my toilet over the last couple of days,” she joked. “(I’m) so happy to be off the toilet and back on the court. (I’m) excited always to be back in this green and gold dress.”
In her absence, Jamie-Lee Price played wing defence against England on Sunday and put in a
solid performance. She marked Nat Metcalf and then Chelsea Pitman for one gain, four
deflections (one with a gain) and six centre pass receives.
Brazill’s game on Gina Crampton and then Peta Toeava included two deflections and 16 centre pass receives – more than any other player in the match. The performances won’t make coach Stacey Marinkovich’s decision about who to take back to Cape Town for the World Cup in late July any easier.
Jury out on Taurua’s defence move
Pre-tournament, Silver Ferns coach Dame Noeline Taurua made no secret of the fact that she
wanted to test “personnel and combinations” at the Quad Series – and she’s walking the talk.
In both games, Taurua has used all 12 of the athletes at her disposal, making countless player
and positional changes. After leaving her starting seven against Australia the same until half-
time this morning, she made a raft of changes in the second half.
The choice to try 192cm Kelly Jury, usually a goal keeper, at goal defence, paired with Sulu
Fitzpatrick at keeper in the last raised the most eyebrows.
Fox Netball commentator Cath Cox didn’t like it and said Aussie goal attack Steph Wood was
able to cut up Jury with her speed and her timing. “I don’t think it’s done the job for them,” she said.
And she was right. Australia outscored the Ferns 7/2 early in the fourth and after nine minutes, Taurua replaced Jury with Karin Burger, who won a vital intercept.
Ferns captain Ameliaranne Ekenasio said post-game she was really happy with how the team
started. “It’s always a really tight tussle when we play Aussie and I was really proud of what the girls put out on court today. We just couldn’t quite come away with it.’’
QUAD SERIES FIXTURES (AEDT)
January 22
Proteas vs Silver Ferns – 41-61
Diamonds vs Roses – 61-55
January 23
Proteas vs Roses – 46-all
Diamonds vs Silver Ferns – 59-57
January 25
1am – Roses vs Silver Ferns
3am – Proteas vs Diamonds
January 26
1am – 3rd & 4th playoff
3am – Final
