Australia vs New Zealand result, Diamonds vs Silver Ferns, analysis, Cara Koene, Stacey Marinkovich, Grace Nweke

The Australian Diamonds were so clinical, so dominant against New Zealand in the second Constellation Cup Test in Brisbane last night, that Ferns coach Dame Noeline Taurua held up the world champions as role models for her own team.

After the 55-46 defeat – which gives Australia a 19-goal lead heading into the second leg of the two-Test series in New Zealand, which begins on Thursday – Taurua heaped praise on the old foe.

Watch all Constellation Cup Series 2023 matches for free and live on Kayo Freebies. Sign up now and start streaming instantly >

“Look, we recognize world champions… they show their class all the time and that’s what we aspire to be as a team and every little step is a good step for us,” he said. she declared, referring to the closing of the gap one after. a 50-40 defeat in the opening Test in Melbourne on Thursday night.

Here are the big talking points from the match at Brisbane Entertainment Arena.

Slick Koenen proves ‘elusive’

After not missing a shot throughout the game, Cara Koenen was expected to be in the running for MVP in the nine-goal victory.

Marked by Kelly Jury and Jane Watson at different times, the 27-year-old shot 33/33, grabbed one rebound and had 11 receptions in the second phase to open up space for her Kiera Austin goal attack, who swept the field with the grace of Ginger Rogers.

Former Super Netball reporter Fiona Crowe said the 190cm Koenen “feeds off” the movement and confidence of his circle partner.

“Austin and Steph Wood (with whom Koenen plays nationally) are confident players and can dictate the circle. She’s the perfect partner to ‘read’ players like that and that’s exactly what she did so well in Brisbane,” Crowe said.

Australian coach Stacey Marinkovich told reporters after the victory that Koenen was growing.

“There were some things she really wanted to target in this game and she executed them really well,” she said.

Marinkovich praised Koenen’s fluid movement and ability to hold and drop into the back space. “She’s getting a little more elusive in the variety she offers,” the coach said.

“She’s always had a few tricks up her sleeve, but you have to choose the right time to use them and that’s growing in the combination she has with Kiera at the moment. It’s pretty smooth,” Marinkovich said.

A moment to save for Hadley

Australia vice-captain Paige Hadley marked her 50th Test in the gold dress – a milestone in a decade – with a surprising MVP nod.

The 31-year-old, who made his debut in 2013, had 14 assists, 20 assists, a deflection and seven receptions in the second phase in the 55-46 victory.

Although undoubtedly essential, shooter Cara Koenen, who shot 33/33, and defender Courtney Bruce, who had five gains, were arguably more influential than the veteran.

After the match, manager Stacey Marinkovich paid tribute to Hadley, who has suffered from serious injuries and non-selection throughout his career.

“She is the epitome of the team for what she has accomplished. She worked tirelessly to get it and it just goes to show that you can have a rocky journey, but you can also have an amazing one,” Marinkovich said.

Hadley’s handling of a calf injury at last year’s Commonwealth Games was a pivotal moment, the coach added.

“She played a very different role and I think the respect she gained from the group (from there) is just next level.”

Marinkovich said the team would “definitely welcome” Hadley’s feat.

“I think (in) high performance sport it’s very easy to move on to the next performance and know how to improve. But as a group, these guys understood that and said, “No, it’s okay to party.”

“It’s not about being arrogant, but it’s actually about saying, ‘We work really hard for these moments,’ so you really have to absorb it, so you can then face the next one.” Marinkovich said.

Grace’s “incredible” comeback

In her first 30 minutes of competitive netball since a tournament-ending knee injury at the World Cup in July, Grace Nweke reminded the world how good she is.

The 193cm Kiwi shooter – who partially tore her patella tendon during a pool match in Cape Town and missed the rest of the Cup and a recent series against England in New Zealand – shot 21/ 24 in two quarters and injected palpable confidence into his team. .

In the second and fourth, while she was at GS, the Silver Ferns tied the Diamonds on the scoreboard.

New Zealand coach Dame Noeline Taurua said Nweke had done an “incredible” job to come back.

“Her injury that she suffered at the Netball World Cup… she’s actually ahead of her time (for the comeback) and so to be out there and do two quarters is huge,” he said. she declared.

“(It) showed in the books, I guess, what she does and the firepower (she brings), but also how she draws defenders onto her. It’s a great start for her and I think the work she’s done is incredible,” Taurua said.

“One of the things we achieved at the Netball World Cup was the presence of Gracie; not only on the field but off the field,” added Taurua.

“Obviously she has the stature, the size, the physique and the desire. I think the best thing I can attribute to Gracie at the moment is her determination to recover from this injury.

Ryan steps in

In a surprise move, Netball Australia chief executive Kelly Ryan acknowledged the country ahead of the Brisbane match, after a First Nations elder reportedly withdrew following the Voice referendum result.

“We had planned to open… with a welcome to country message, as this is an integral part of netball, however, we recognize how difficult it is today for First Nations people,” Ryan said , wearing a scarf adorned with a piece of art titled Ganurra, designed by Yorta Yorta wife Alkina Edwards, for the Diamonds’ current playing kit.

Meaning fire in Yorta Yorta, Edwards’ work depicts diamonds as “fierce, like a big ball of fire.”

Instead of welcoming him to the country, Ryan thanked the Jagera and Turrbal people, the traditional custodians of Brisbane (Meanjin), and paid tribute to him before giving a short speech.

“We are committed to elevating and listening to the voices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the sport of netball; our athletes, our coaches, our referees, our staff and our volunteers,” she said.

“Netball Australia is proud of the role we have to play in building a culture of fairness, respect and recognition of the cultures, histories and contributions of all First Nations people who play and engage in our sports,” she said.