Kiwis go two up, but not all hope lost for Aussies
NEW ZEALAND’S stranglehold of Constellation Cup matches in New Zealand has continued, after downing Australia again to take a 2-0 lead in the 2024 series.
In what might have felt like a sense of déjà vu for Australia and its fans, New Zealand had a strong first half which really catapulted them to the successful result. Australia won the third quarter like they did in game one, but just like game one it barely made a dent in the deficit.
It has now been over 1300 days since Australia won a test in New Zealand, but in some hope for Australian fans it has been over 1800 days since New Zealand won in Australia.
Grace Nweke again proved hard for the Australian defenders to stop, this time recording 47 goals at 922% accuracy. Maddy Gordon (24 feeds, 23 assists, two deflections) also had a strong game in mid court, as did Kelly Jackson (seven deflections, five gains, two rebounds, one intercept) in defence.
Meanwhile for Australia Jamie-Lee Price recorded 30 feeds and 15 assists, and really carried the load while other key players underperformed. Sophie Garbin only missed three shots for the night, but her volume was not enough to keep up with New Zealand’s shooters up the other end.
In the earlier game the Australian Kelpies were even more dominant against the New Zealand NetBlacks than they were in game one, this time winning 75 goals to 30 to take an unassailable lead in their series.
The Kelpies only led by one goal at the first change, but a 22 goal to three second term blew the game open and the Kelpies never looked back.
Liam Killey (39 goals from 44 attempts, three feeds, three rebounds, one deflection, one assist) provided most of the goals for Australia, while up the other end Alastair Punshon recorded a whopping seven gains as well as four deflections, three rebounds and two intercepts in a really strong defensive performance.
Meanwhile for New Zealand Oceon Grady had a strong defensive performance, recording four gains, two intercepts, two deflections and two rebounds.
NEW ZEALAND 17 | 16 | 15 | 15 (63)
AUSTRALIA 11 | 12 | 16 | 13 (52)
STARTING SEVENS
New Zealand
GS: Grace Nweke
GA: Ameliaranne Ekenasio
WA: Kimiora Poi
C: Maddy Gordon
WD: Kate Heffernan
GD: Karin Burger
GK: Kelly Jackson
Australia
GS: Sophie Garbin
GA: Kiera Austin
WA: Liz Watson
C: Jamie-Lee Price
WD: Kate Moloney
GD: Sunday Aryang
GK: Sarah Klau
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