WITH the Constellation Cup over and Australia claiming victory for the seventh consecutive year we take a look at the performances from each player across the four game series and rank them. Yesterday we looked at every Australian Diamond and today we look at the New Zealand Silver Ferns.

A+

Maria Folau:

It was a milestone international series for Folau who showed the netball nation once again why she is so revered for her long bomb shooting, putting on a masterclass more than once inside the circle. She can turn and shoot from anywhere with her silky movement and baseline drives a mainstay of her game play. The Silver Fern slotted 105 goals from 123 attempts at 85 per cent, highlighting her dominance and ability to turn a game on its head within seconds. She was cool, calm and collected throughout the series and consistently re-offered in the circle.

A

Laura Langman:

Langman was simply Langman. She ran rings around Liz Watson at times with the Diamonds having no answers for the endurance machine and veteran Fern. Her strength, commitment and vision was second to none, able to slice through defence with ease and punish opponents with her turn of speed. Her defensive work is just as impressive as her attacking work with a particularly impressive performance in Game 3, with two timely intercepts at crucial stages. She is the gift that keeps on giving, able to hit circle edge with ease and deliver perfectly weighted passes into the shooters.

Ameliaranne Ekenasio:

Every time the Ferns needed a hero in came Ekenasio, with the talented goaler sensing the moment and doing damage under the post. She rose to the occasion time and time again. pairing seamlessly with Folau and using her impeccable timing to exploit her opponents. Ekenasio converted 85 goals from 94 attempts at 90 per cent showcasing her skill and execution under the post.

Karin Burger:

There was no denying her fierce intent and general netball nous to contest every ball. Burger was pivotal in both of the Ferns’ wins with her physical pressure and ability to get up high and cause doubt in the feeders minds. Although she struggled at times to combat the height of the Australian shooters, her ability to use her feet and get around the body was second to none. She finished with 12 gains for the series credit to her timing and defensive pressure.

B+

Katrina Rore:

The wing defence made full use of her height and impressive three-foot marking to block the view of her smaller oppositions. Although she could not cover the speed of Laura Scherian her attacking mentality and general netball know-how put her in good stead, able to read the play and pick off intercepts. Rore worked exceptionally hard in transition to bring the ball down the court and re-offer on the transverse line, making up for the few times when her opponent was left unmarked on the circle edge.

Jane Watson:

Watson was impressive in New Zealand’s victories, able to dictate the space against the likes of Gretel Tippett and Caitlin Bassett but struggled to get on top and have the same influence in Game 4. In saying that, Watson consistently posed a threat in the air, leaping high to force turnovers and create doubt in the feeders minds while her quick feet around the body was impressive.

B
Phoenix Karaka:

After copping a concussion in Game 1 and missing the following game, Karaka showcased her ability to be an impact player thanks to her hunt for the ball and speed off the mark. The goal keeper backed herself across the court to gobble up errant passes but was costly in terms of penalties, often caught running through the player rather than around them. she also gave away quite a bit of height but made up for it with her leap and athleticism.

C

Shannon Saunders:

Saunders seemed to struggle on the international stage, not having her usual impact around the goal circle and often caught up high unable to penetrate the Diamonds’ defensive setup. When on song her connection with Folau and Ekenasio was hard to stop, releasing the ball with confidence into both the front and back space, but was also the culprit of plenty of turnovers.

Gina Crampton:

The wing attack had a relatively inconsistent Constellation Cup, unable to find her normal rhythm and damaging attack across the court. She struggled with the physical nature of Ash Brazill at times and was unable to use her speed to dodge her way around the attacking third. However, she had glimpses of excellence with her strong drives to the top of the circle occasionally on display along with cleverly crafted passes.

D+

Bailey Mes:

Unfortunately the athletic goaler failed to have the desired impact for the Ferns, unable to find her feet and clogging space in the goal circle. Mes got the start in the fourth and final game of the series but was unable to rotate through the circle and was shaky on the shot, only sinking two of her four attempts and racking up three offensive contacts. Renowned for her aerial ability, Mes seemed shackled to the ground unable to take advantage of her athleticism. The second test followed much of the same blueprint with the talented goal shooter unable to impact the scoreboard with a mere three goals from five attempts throughout her 20 minutes on court.

Both Te Paea Selby-Rickit and Michaela Sokolich-Beatson did not get game time for the Silver Ferns throughout the Constellation Cup, but offer plenty of skill and excitement.