Australian Diamonds defeat Silver Ferns to claim Constellation Cup in extra-time thriller
The Australian Diamonds have won the Constellation Cup at Wolfbrook Arena in Christchurch. (AAP: John Davidson)
In short:
Australia claimed the Constellation Cup after the series was decided in a mini-match.
New Zealand won the fourth Test in Christchurch to level the series 2-2.
But the Diamonds triumphed 12-11 in Series Decider Time.
The Diamonds's trophy cabinet is again complete after they snapped their New Zealand drought against the Silver Ferns in a thrilling extra-time period to bring the Constellation Cup back to Australia.
The Diamonds's last win in New Zealand came in 2021 in Christchurch and the Australians were again celebrating in the south island city, regaining the trans-Tasman trophy on Wednesday night.
With the Silver Ferns winning the fourth Test 62-57 to level the series at 2-2, the Cup went on the line in Series Decider Time, which was two seven-minute halves.
The Diamonds expertly managing the last minute, with Sophie Garbin scoring the winning goal with four seconds left on the clock, clinching a 12-11 result.
New Zealand raced out to a 3-0 lead before the Diamonds — who had faltered in the final quarter of the fourth Test to give up a three-goal lead — settled into the mini-match.
The world champions were up 7-5 at half-time but New Zealand drew level at 11-11 in the second term.
But Australia smartly starved its opposition of another chance.
The Ferns' Grace Nweke shot a goal with a minute and 20 seconds left on the clock (AAP: John Davidson)
The Diamonds worked the ball around the court to run the clock down before feeding the ball into Garbin in the final seconds for her to slot the match-winner, allowing them to retrieve the trophy from their arch rivals.
With Sunday Aryang falling heavily before full-time was called, the Diamonds looked shell-shocked with goal attack Kiera Austin in tears.
But with the trophy in their grasp their victory started to sink in.
"To get the win is awesome. I guess the way it finished, not so awesome," Diamonds skipper Liz Watson said.
"It's just a weird format to play that extra 14 minutes, to be honest, but look, everyone had a great series, and we're really proud to be able to finish with the Cup."
Liz Watson says the Diamonds are "really proud" to come home with the Constellation Cup. (AAP: John Davidson)
It looked like Australia was going to win the series 3-1, having led after every quarter in a strong response to its disappointing showing in Sunday's third Test in Hamilton.
With a two-pronged shooting attack in the form of Garbin and Austin, the Diamonds skipped out to a 17-12 lead.
Grace Nweke missed two shots early, although she underlined her superstar status by only missing one other shot for the match, finishing with 56 goals from 59 attempts.
Only one goal split the teams in the second term with the Diamonds maintaining a handy buffer at 33-27.
A Sophie Garbin goal deep in extra time has clinched Australia the trans-Tasman trophy in New Zealand. (AAP: John Davidson)
But buoyed by a vocal home crowd, the Silver Ferns lifted and levelled at 37-37 midway through the third quarter.
The Diamonds pulled away again to lead 46-43 heading into the final quarter but momentum swung with the Silver Ferns, with veteran goal-keeper Kelly Jackson proving a major disrupter in the visitors' goal circle.
The hosts hit the lead after pouncing on a turnover with just over nine minutes left on the clock and never looked back.
Despite that commanding victory, the night belonged to the Diamonds, who took the extra period to win their 12th Constellation Cup series since 2010.
AAP