‘Panicked’ Aussies suffer shock loss as Con Cup heads to decider

New Zealand have kept the Constellation Cup series alive, handing Australia just their second loss this year.

Led by the stunning MVP performance from goal keeper Kelly Jury, the Silver Ferns claimed a 56-53 win to send the series to a game four decider on Monday.

The Fern’s three-goal win ensures the Diamonds’ Invercargill hoodoo remains – managing just three wins in their past 11 appearances at the venue.

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Star shooter Grace Nweke finished with 34/36 goals in just her second game back from injury again on limited minutes.

Rookie Tiana Metuarua was impressive in her limited court time while the work of Whitney Souness in attack ensured the ball sailed through to Nweke with ease.

The Aussie attack end failed to fire in worrying signs for coach Stacey Marinkovich, with both Cara Koenen (16/18) and Kiera Austin (16/23) struggling under the pressure from Jury.

“Definitely a game of momentum … The perceived pressure as well – I think we panicked,” skipper Liz Watson lamented of the loss.

The win was crucial for the Ferns who now need to win by 17 goals or more in Monday’s decider to claim the series – due to the goal differential from the Australian leg.

QUARTER BY QUARTER MATCH REPORT

STARTING SEVEN

Australia: GS Koenen, GA Austin, WA Watson (c), C Hadley, WD Aryang, GD Weston, GK Bruce

New Zealand: GS Nweke, GA Ekenasio, WA Reuelu-Buchanan, C Gordon, WD Heffernan, GD Karaka, GK Jury

The Aussies were off to a confident start as Kiera Austin fed her shooting partner Cara Koenen from mid-range.

“The intent clear there wasn’t it,” commentator Catherine Cox praised.

Kelly Jury got an early tip on Austin’s shot, but it fell into the lap of Koenen who made no mistake.

The Ferns were confident to go long to Grace Nweke over Courtney Bruce repeatedly in promising signs for the home side.

“Courtney Bruce cannot stop this ball to Nweke at the moment,” Cox said.

“The frustration creeping in … She’s been burnt early.”

“They are exposing Courtney Bruce at the back,” commentator Caitlin Bassett added.

Phoenix Karaka got the first turnover for her side and when Koenen missed her first goal since game one, suddenly the Ferns’ had a four-goal buffer.

But just as the Kiwis’ looked in control, a forced ball to Nweke, an Ameliaranne Ekenasio turnover and a held ball on her shot gifted the Diamonds ball – and they pounced.

“Well you give them a sniff and they run with it,” Cox said.

The Diamonds went on a seven-goal run to take the lead – despite the best efforts of Jury whose rejection didn’t land for her side.

By quarter time, it was Australia leading 14-10.

Another held ball for Ekenasio gave Australia the early turnover to start the second.

Again Jury got her hands on the missed shot, but once again it fell back into the Diamonds’ lap.

Bruce and teammate Sunday Aryang collided trying to halt the long ball in to Nweke, but both managed to shrug off the contact.

Whitney Souness – brought on late in the first – coughed up a simple intercept for Bruce as the Diamonds pushed out to a six-goal lead.

But the match turned quickly in New Zealand’s favour as they turned a six-goal deficit into a three-goal lead with some brilliant play.

Souness made up for her error with a brilliant drive to the top of the circle, Tiana Metuarua – injected for the skipper – had an immediate impact, including a sneaky post play from the baseline throw in.

“Cheeky!” Bassett praised, laughing. “I absolutely love it when shooters do that. I never would have had the guts to do it myself.”

“She is playing beyond her years – what a turnaround for the Silver Ferns!” Cox added.

“(Tiana) came out guns blazing.”

Turnovers in attack were costing Australia dearly late in the term as Jo Weston headed to the bench and Sarah Klau saw her first minutes.

Down by two, Sophie Garbin came on court at goal shooter and Koenen pushed out to goal attack.

“She demands the ball – that is the difference already,” Cox said of Garbin.

Jury continued her defensive dominance in the dying stages of the half as the crowd surged with her.

By the main break, it was New Zealand leading 28-24.

“I have never seen a turnaround as big as that in one quarter Australia versus New Zealand. 14 goals – that’s massive,” Cox said.

Stacey Marinkovich made changes for the third with Austin returning to GA and Jamie-Lee Price taking the court at centre.

Diamonds players were hitting the court to put their body on the line as scores were levelled.

But Cox was critical of the role of Austin, who almost coughed up ball repeatedly looking for Garbin instead of putting up the shot.

“She has to shoot those or be taken off the court – you can’t have a goal attack on court that’s not prepared to go to post,” she said.

As Australia opened up a three-goal lead, Karaka was benched with Karin Burger brought on at goal defence.

But again Austin didn’t want to shoot and coughed up ball – with scores tied.

“The change has got to come,” Cox said.

But it was New Zealand who swung the changes – Nweke headed to the bench as promised she wouldn’t see out the match in just her second match back from injury.

Dame Noeline Taurua opted for a double change with Ekenasio returning and Amelia Walmsley on at goal shooter.

And Walmsley’s first shot didn’t drop – with Bruce pulling in the rebound.

Kate Moloney got her first minutes since game one late in the third as Australia once again pulled ahead by three.

Not even a lost shoe could slow Sophie Garbin, who made her presence felt against Jury to quieten the Kiwi star.

By the final change, Australia held a two-goal lead.

Price’s speed was causing havoc for the Ferns’ defence as she was able to find Austin repeatedly.

But Kelly Jury’s “smart” footwork got the intercept her side desperately needed as scores levelled. And when Gordon got the tip and Burger chased it up, New Zealand put themselves up with just over eight minutes to play.

Weston came back into the action for Australia but it was Bruce who pulled in the big intercept.

“Bruce just loves these moments to be the hero,” Cox said.

Nweke returned to the court as the crowd lifted once more and it was the Kiwis who pulled ahead.

“You cannot hear the umpires – it is so loud in the stadium in Invercargill,” Cox said.

More changes came for Australia as Klau and Aryang came back as GD and WD respectively as the Diamonds desperately needed the turnover.

Jury almost had the winning intercept for her side, but was deemed to have stepped out of court – but when Garbin had her first miss, the Ferns held on for a big win.

Garbin finished with 21/22 in a starring role in her limited court time.

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