Silver Ferns claim Constellation Cup with third straight win
The Silver Ferns have added the Constellation Cup to their Commonwealth Games title after a dramatic come-from-behind 52-49 win over Australia pushed them to an unassailable 3-0 lead in the four-test series, in Sydney on Sunday.
Following wins in 2012, 2021 and 2024, the Silver Ferns claimed the Constellation Cup for just a fourth time in its 16-year history following a rare win on Australian soil after opening 56-50 and 62-50 wins in Auckland and Christchurch respectively.
With the Diamonds under immense pressure to keep the series alive, the home side showed they were up for the fight with a courageous and battling performance to have the better of the contest for long spells.
Trailing by two coming into the last quarter, the Silver Ferns demonstrated their growing belief and ability to fit all occasions while not at their best to reel off the first seven goals of the last stanza to set up a big momentum swing.
Sill not done, the Diamonds levelled up in the closing five minutes, the Silver Ferns scrapping valiantly to keep their noses in front while finding a way to seal the most satisfying of wins.
Sticking with a settled starting seven, wing defence Mila Reuelu-Buchanan made her first run-on side of the series for the Silver Ferns while versatile midcourter Maddy Gordon lined up for her 50th test match.
Defender Matilda Garrett (concussion) and midcourter Jamie-Lee Price (calf injury) were ruled out of the third test, the Diamonds forced to reshuffle their deck with the most notable change being Georgie Horjus reverting from wing attack to goal attack.
Those plans went quickly out the window when Kate Moloney lasted just 30 seconds after re-injuring her troublesome finger, prompting a quick attacking shuffle and Horjus moving back across to wing attack.
Despite the disruption, it was a disciplined and focussed Diamonds who had the upper hand during the opening stanza. Defensive pressure across the court combined with the in-circle pairing of Jessie Grenvoid and Courtney Bruce ruffled the Silver Ferns shooting duo into error and missed shots.
Shooter Sophie Garbin was a strong presence under the hoop for the Diamonds on the back of fast ball movement and strong angles provided by her attackers who left Silver Ferns defenders Kelly Jackson and Karin Burger struggling to make an imprint.
Uncharacteristically low goal percentages and too many turnovers from the Silver Ferns prompted the introduction of Te Paea Selby-Rickit at goal attack for Georgia Heffernan while leaving the visitors trailing and in chase mode for the first time in the series when Australia took a 15-11 lead into the first break.
The Diamonds ball speed continued to impress on the resumption but the Silver Ferns showed their intent when scoring the first two goals to edge back into the frame.
Going goal-for-goal for much of the second spell, the Silver Ferns gradually settled into the defensive pressure being applied at their attack end with Gordon, Kate Heffernan and Selby-Rickit improving the quality of ball getting into ace shooter Grace Nweke’s hands.
At the other end, Burger and Jackson lifted their efforts to disrupt while creating turnover opportunities, a buzzer-time Selby-Rickit goal helping the Silver Ferns level up the scores at 26-apiece at the main break.
There was no easy path in the early stages of the third quarter for either side before the Diamonds gradually reasserted themselves.
With Kimiora Poi on at wing attack and the Heffernan sisters re-entering the game midway through, the Silver Ferns had a big challenge on their hands as their flow on attack, so evident during the first two tests, was put under the pump.
In just her third test, rising young Diamonds defender Jessie Grenvoid was in the thick of action, constantly disrupting the New Zealand shooters while getting her hands on multiple turnover opportunities.
With the Australian shooters holding sway over the Silver Ferns defenders, the Diamonds pushed out to a five-goal margin before a late rally from the visitors closed the gap once again. It was Australia holding a slim 41-39 lead at the last turn while leaving the game hanging in the balance.
The fourth and final test will be played in Melbourne on Wednesday (9.30pm NZ time).