Australia’s Diamonds thrash New Zealand’s Silver Ferns 62-47 in fourth Constellation Cup Check match

Australia have taken the Constellation Cup to a deciding fourth sport after a barnstorming 62-47 win over New Zealand in Melbourne.

The Diamonds pushed apart simmering sponsorship controversy to revel of their first house Check match in additional than 1,000 days, and have been welcomed again by a sold-out John Caine Enviornment crowd.

After two losses in New Zealand, the large sport three victory means they’ll win the trophy with a win within the ultimate Check on the Gold Coast on Sunday.

Coach Stacey Marinkovich rolled the choice cube at each ends and got here up trumps, beginning shooter Sophie Garbin for the primary time within the four-Check sequence.

She additionally recalled feisty Check veteran defender Jo Weston for the primary time within the trans-Tasman sequence.

Garbin, who had solely performed one quarter within the earlier two video games, performed as a holding shooter permitting purpose assault Steph Wooden to roam the circle, with the twin-pronged assault inflicting complications for the Silver Ferns.

Weston did not take a backward step in defence, with New Zealand skipper Ameliaranne Ekenasio changed within the second quarter by the taller Te Paea Selby-Rickit because the Kiwis scrambled.

The Australians received off to a powerful begin and led 15-11 after the primary quarter, with keeper Courtney Bruce maintaining a lid on Silver Ferns taking pictures weapon Grace Nweke.

New Zealand coach Noeline Taurua continued to tinker together with her line-up, however the Diamonds prolonged the margin to 10 factors halfway by way of the second stanza earlier than settling for a 31-22 half-time lead.

The margin closed to 5 factors halfway by way of the third quarter, sounding alarm bells for Australia after they fell away on the similar time in sport two.

However this time the Diamonds put their foot down and punished the Silver Ferns within the ultimate stanza.

Australian skipper Liz Watson needed to entrance the media on match eve to reply questions concerning the gamers’ hesitancy over the Hancock Prospecting sponsorship, however was centered solely on victory in Melbourne.

The wing assault was untouchable by way of the midcourt with a surprising 57 feeds into the purpose circle, with one of the best effort from the Kiwis being Maddy Gordon’s 17.

AAP