Australia vs New Zealand result, Diamonds vs Silver Ferns, analysis, Cara Koene, Stacey Marinkovich, Grace Nweke\u060c<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Watch all Constellation Cup Series<\/a> 2023 matches for free and live on Kayo Freebies. Sign up now and start streaming instantly ><\/b><\/i><\/p>\n “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.<\/p>\n Here are the big talking points from the match at Brisbane Entertainment Arena.<\/i><\/p>\n Slick Koenen proves ‘elusive’<\/b><\/p>\n After not missing a shot throughout the game, Cara Koenen was expected to be in the running for MVP in the nine-goal victory.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Former Super Netball reporter Fiona Crowe said the 190cm Koenen “feeds off” the movement and confidence of his circle partner. <\/p>\n \u201cAustin and Steph Wood (with whom Koenen plays nationally) are confident players and can dictate the circle. She\u2019s the perfect partner to \u2018read\u2019 players like that and that\u2019s exactly what she did so well in Brisbane,\u201d Crowe said.<\/p>\n Australian coach Stacey Marinkovich told reporters after the victory that Koenen was growing.<\/p>\n \u201cThere were some things she really wanted to target in this game and she executed them really well,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n Marinkovich praised Koenen’s fluid movement and ability to hold and drop into the back space. \u201cShe\u2019s getting a little more elusive in the variety she offers,\u201d the coach said.<\/p>\n \u201cShe’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\u2019s pretty smooth,\u201d Marinkovich said.<\/p>\n A moment to save for Hadley<\/b><\/p>\n Australia vice-captain Paige Hadley marked her 50th Test in the gold dress – a milestone in a decade – with a surprising MVP nod.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n After the match, manager Stacey Marinkovich paid tribute to Hadley, who has suffered from serious injuries and non-selection throughout his career.<\/p>\n \u201cShe 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,\u201d Marinkovich said.<\/p>\n Hadley’s handling of a calf injury at last year’s Commonwealth Games was a pivotal moment, the coach added.<\/p>\n \u201cShe played a very different role and I think the respect she gained from the group (from there) is just next level.\u201d<\/p>\n Marinkovich said the team would \u201cdefinitely welcome\u201d Hadley\u2019s feat.<\/p>\n \u201cI 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.”<\/p>\n “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.<\/p>\n Grace\u2019s \u201cincredible\u201d comeback<\/b><\/p>\n In her first 30 minutes of competitive netball<\/a> since a tournament-ending knee injury at the World Cup in July, Grace Nweke reminded the world how good she is. <\/p>\n The 193cm Kiwi shooter \u2013 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 \u2013 shot 21\/ 24 in two quarters and injected palpable confidence into his team. .<\/p>\n In the second and fourth, while she was at GS, the Silver Ferns tied the Diamonds on the scoreboard. <\/p>\n New Zealand coach Dame Noeline Taurua said Nweke had done an \u201cincredible\u201d job to come back.<\/p>\n “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.<\/p>\n \u201c(It) showed in the books, I guess, what she does and the firepower (she brings), but also how she draws defenders onto her. It\u2019s a great start for her and I think the work she\u2019s done is incredible,\u201d Taurua said.<\/p>\n \u201cOne of the things we achieved at the Netball<\/a> World Cup was the presence of Gracie; not only on the field but off the field,\u201d added Taurua.<\/p>\n \u201cObviously 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.<\/p>\n Diamonds shine in fierce battle with New Zealand | 01:52<\/p>\n Ryan steps in<\/b><\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n \u201cWe 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,\u201d 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.<\/p>\n Meaning fire in Yorta Yorta, Edwards’ work depicts diamonds as “fierce, like a big ball of fire.”<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n \u201cWe 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<\/a>, our referees, our staff and our volunteers,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n