THE 2021 Constellation Cup is complete, with the New Zealand Silver Ferns running down a rebuilding Australian Diamonds squad for a 3-1 sweep of the series and bragging rights on the international stage. With that said, both nations had their moments and whilst New Zealand took out the title, did they win on the stats sheet? We lay out the four matches and delve into how each encounter went down.
GAME 1
New Zealand Silver Ferns 49 def. Australian Diamonds 44
Game 1 certainly had its moments, with both sides rusty but New Zealand ultimately outclassing the inexperienced Diamonds. While Australia had only been out of quarantine for a brief amount of time and had very little chances prior to train as a cohesive squad, the Ferns were clinical dismantling combinations across the court.
NZL
49
63
58%
9
4
4
38
18
Goals
Attempts
Time in Possession
Gains
Intercepts
Deflections (Resulting in Gain)
Penalties (total)
Turnovers
AUS
44
52
42%
16
7
3
68
27
The opening match of the series was always set to test the Diamonds, and they certainly did get tested with struggles for three quarters before the side was able to make a comeback and steal the final quarter from the Ferns’ clutches. To New Zealand’s credit though, they were clinical across the court relegating the Aussies to an overall 85 per cent shooting accuracy, and the clean defensive pressure from the Ferns was critical with 38 penalties compared to Australia’s extensive 68.
With 58 per cent of the match played out in New Zealand’s possession, there was little that Australia could do to take control back. Whilst the Diamonds did actually win the gain (16-9) and intercept (7-4) count in this match, it was too little, too late following a huge opening three quarters from the Ferns.
Maia Wilson was a tough knock at the post with 31 goals at 78 per cent, whilst
Caitlin Bassett put up the most accurate total per volume on court with 19 goals from 21 attempts in three quarters. Goal attacks
Ameliaranne Ekenasio and
Kiera Austin put up 18 goals apiece within the mid-70 per cent accuracy range, whilst it was a battle of the out of position defenders for who could pile on the most pressure, as
Courtney Bruce (eight gains, eight penalties, three turnovers) and
Jane Watson (three gains, five penalties, one turnover) did their best to turn the tide for their respective nations.
GAME 2
Australian Diamonds 45 def. New Zealand 36
The only match that the Diamonds won saw the green and gold rally from the get-go, coming in with something to prove and holding up well under pressure. The Ferns were missing captain Ekenasio though, which not only showcased how much she impacts the contest out on court and ability to command attention, but also how quick Australia was to jump on the opportunity.
AUS
45
64
53%
15
2
10
49
19
Goals
Attempts
Time in Possession
Gains
Intercepts
Deflections (Resulting in Gain)
Penalties (total)
Turnovers
NZL
36
45
47%
15
2
5
57
29
The lowest scoring encounter of the series could well have been the highest scoring, if only the accuracy had been there from both teams, but with the defensive pressure well and truly on show once more, it was a tough battle to find clear options in the goal circle and establish dominance with a feisty Diamonds side looking to bite back. The penalty count went the opposite way in this matchup as the Diamonds well and truly cleaned up their act, whilst they also made better use of their gains and intercepts to control play much better than in game one.
Unfortunately for the Ferns, losing Ekenasio meant losing one of their main pillars in the circle and so too in attack, with neither
Bailey Mes nor
Monica Falkner having the desired effect alongside Wilson as the trio combined for 10 of the side’s general play turnovers. Whilst Wilson still dominated with 32 goals at an improved 84 per cent, Bruce and
Sarah Klau had a day out pushing the Ferns attack all the way and piling on the pressure. Koenen (29 goals from 34 attempts) and Austin (13 from 24) relished their shared role in the goal circle, and whilst accuracy would have paid off, their growing combination proved crucial in this matchup, as
Liz Watson spotted the duo with ease to finish with 21 assists from 33 feeds.
GAME 3
Australian Diamonds 49 def. by New Zealand Silver Ferns 55
This match once more saw Australia fly out of the gates, before a huge second half saw the Ferns cast the Diamonds aside to claim the six-goal victory. Inaccuracy was once again a theme in this encounter, as last minute changes were not enough to overcome the Ferns on a mission.
AUS
49
63
48%
10
6
3
48
19
Goals
Attempts
Time in Possession
Gains
Intercepts
Deflections (Resulting in Gain)
Penalties (total)
Turnovers
NZL
55
60
52%
13
6
2
40
20
Without being too harsh, the easiest way to describe the Game 3 stats is wasted opportunities, particularly on Australia’s part. With more goal attempts and penalties to their name, the Diamonds just could not make the most of their opportunities across court, despite piling on similar intercept and gain counts. With only marginally less time in possession of the netball, Australia collapsed under pressure as the Ferns made use of their defensive and midcourt depth, with the Ferns’ cleanliness with ball in hand once more paying off with their second lowest penalty count of the series.
Wilson shot 41 goals at 95 per cent accuracy in this match – her highest haul and accuracy of the series – whilst the return of Ekenasio more than paid off with the goal attack piling on 14 goals to go with her 19 goal assists. The duo’s cleanliness with ball in hand was critical, especially following the second match, and it well and truly paid off as their calm and composed attitude to post trickled down the court. Jane Watson took the game into her own hands for the Ferns after a quiet first half, piling on six gains (three intercepts, two rebounds, one deflection) in the final quarter alone, as the Australians lost their composed attitude and were much more frantic as the match came to a close with a 17-9 final quarter effort the way of the Ferns. Austin’s inaccuracy under pressure did not do the Diamonds any favours, shooting 18 goals at 67 per cent, while Austin (25 from 29) was well held in the final quarter to only put up one goal before Bassett (six from seven in eight minutes) took the court to complete the match.
GAME 4
New Zealand Silver Ferns 45 def. Australian Diamonds 43
The final match saw the Ferns clinch the trophy, taking control after the first quarter and proving that their connections and consistency could create a comeback from any margin. A fatigued Diamonds side could not cope with the pressure, with wasted opportunities telling the tale of the teams’ final encounter.
NZL
45
52
54%
4
1
3
59
19
Goals
Attempts
Time in Possession
Gains
Intercepts
Deflections (Resulting in Gain)
Penalties (total)
Turnovers
AUS
43
54
46%
8
2
4
60
20
Whilst a quickfire Australian first quarter once again set the tone in the final match of the series, the side once again fell to inexperience and fatigue as they were well and truly run down by the Silver Ferns for the third time. Despite only going down by a two-goal margin at the end of the match, the Diamonds’ lack of patience and wasteful play was the reason why the Ferns were able to reign supreme, commanding ball time and again and making use of Australia’s turnovers. Intriguingly, Australia led both the gains and intercept counts by the final whistle, as well as having more chances to hit the scoreboard despite trailing the time in possession, proving just how much critical turnover ball was not capitalised on from the Diamonds squad. This match also saw the closest penalty count of the series – just one between the two teams – and also the highest overall count, showcasing just how much the four games and closeness of each contest had tired out the two sides.
New Zealand well and truly got on top of Koenen in this encounter, seeing the young goaler put up 15 goals at 79 per cent as Austin took control, and comparatively putting up her highest accuracy of shots with 28 goals from 35 attempts at 80 per cent. While Ekenasio also had a quieter game on the scoring front with nine from 12, her 19 goal assists and read of the play to propel ball into Wilson (36 from 40 at 90 per cent) were crucial, especially coming up against an overall quieter and messier defensive effort from the Diamonds than in other matches, with Bruce (five gains, 10 penalties, two turnovers) and Klau (two gains, 11 penalties) unable to turn the game around.
