Australia Diamonds defeat New Zealand Silver Ferns 69-52 in game one of Constellation Cup
Australia has taken a 1-0 lead in the Constellation Cup series over New Zealand. (AAP: James Ross)
In short:
Australia has taken a 1-0 lead in the Constellation Cup series against New Zealand, with a 69-52 win over the Silver Ferns.
Diamonds centre Kate Moloney and skipper Liz Watson were both a force through the midcourt, while shooter Sophie Garbin finished the match with 42 goals from 45 attempts.
What's next?
The second Test will be held in Sydney on Wednesday, October 22, before the final two matches are played in New Zealand.
Australia has stormed to a commanding win in the first Test of the Constellation Cup series, defeating New Zealand 69-52.
The Diamonds took a two-point lead at half-time, and a four-point lead at the final break.
But a stunning 24-goal final term guided the Diamonds to victory, and a 1-0 series lead.
Diamonds centre Kate Moloney was the best player on the court at John Cain Arena.
Moloney and skipper Liz Watson were both a force through the midcourt, while shooter Sophie Garbin finished the match with 42 goals from 45 attempts.
Sophie Garbin scored 42 goals from 45 attempts for the Diamonds in their 17-goal win over the Silver Ferns. (AAP: James Ross)
"I think we knew the Ferns were going to come out firing," Moloney said.
"We knew if we could just grind it out and grind it out, the opportunities would come."
Australia, the reigning world champions, came into the series looking to reclaim the cup after the Silver Ferns' 3-1 series win in 2024.
New Zealand has been in turmoil off the court, with veteran coach Noeline Taurua standing down since September after player complaints about her communication style.
However, in front of a full house on Friday night, the Kiwis were able to put that drama aside to provide a tough contest for the world champions
The two top-ranked teams couldn't be split at the end of the first quarter, level at 13-13, with the physicality between the sides off the scale.
Diamonds' goal-keeper Courtney Bruce had her hands full with New Zealand's star shooter Grace Nweke.
While she piled in 10 goals, Bruce finished the quarter on top with a rare block on Australian-raised goal attack Martina Salmon and a crucial intercept.
Growing up in Queensland, Salmon (nee Reekers) only moved back to New Zealand in 2022 and was selected for Test duties this year.
The Diamonds held a two-goal lead at half-time, with the Vixens' shooting partnership of Garbin and Kiera Austin flourishing.
The home side got out to a seven-point lead in the third quarter, but interim Kiwi coach Yvette McCausland-Durie made some key changes and they pegged the margin back to 45-41.
The Australians opened the final quarter with five straight goals — Garbin and Austin sharing the spoils — to set a huge challenge for the Kiwis.
Diamonds coach Stacey Marinkovich then made some personnel changes, and the fresh energy saw the home side roar home to win the quarter 24-11 and bank an impressive 17-point victory.
ABC/AAP