Source :- PERTH NOW NEWS
The Diamonds have held onto their prized world No.1 ranking after avoiding a Constellation Cup clean sweep with a 68-58 win over New Zealand in Melbourne.
But New Zealand are adamant they will share the mantle with Australia when World Netball releases the rankings in December, after winning the series 3-1 despite losing at John Cain Arena on Wednesday.
New Zealand would have leapfrogged Australia to be outright top of the world rankings for the first time since 2013 with a 4-0 series win.
But goal attack Georgie Horjus (26/28, 20 goal assists) starred as the Diamonds seized control in the third quarter to avoid a whitewash and keep top billing.
“Coming into the game I didn’t even realise that that was a possibility,” Horjus said.
“So I think it was really important for us this week after losing a few games to just stay connected as a group and not listen to the outside noise.”
Coach Stacey Marinkovich added: “It wasn’t about making it about retaining a world number one.”
The long-term Diamonds coach, out of contract after next year’s World Cup, hailed how her charges responded after losing the series.
“We’ve learned a lot about ourselves,” Marinkovich said.
“And I think the way in which we were able to keep targeted to what it is that we’re trying to grow each and every step is a real credit to what the girls did out there tonight.”
The game was Australia’s last before next year’s World Cup defence in Sydney, when the Diamonds will be seeking to re-establish themselves as top dogs after a disappointing Glasgow Commonwealth Games.
The Diamonds lost to Jamaica in the Games semi-finals, only claiming bronze as New Zealand won gold.
This 3-1 series loss maintains Australia’s record of never losing all four matches of the trans-Tasman tournament, with the Silver Ferns frustrated they couldn’t cap off their efforts.
“A bittersweet feeling, slight disappointment that we couldn’t do what we initially wanted to, set out to do,” New Zealand defender Karin Burger said.
“… We still won the Cup, and according to statistics we’re actually equal first, so we’ll take that for what it is, and then we’ll work really hard about what we need to work on for next year’s World Cup.”
Horjus overcame a slow start to turn in a dominant performance at goal attack after quarter-time.
Her role was pivotal given Sophie Garbin (42/47) was largely double-teamed by New Zealand defensive pair Kelly Jackson and Parris Mason
Young goal keeper Jessie Grenvold again impressed up against New Zealand goal shooter Grace Nweke (42/45), who won the inaugural Plummer-Aitken Medal as player of the series.
Skipper Liz Watson (50 feeds, 25 goal assists) was exceptional while hometown favourite and vice-captain Kate Moloney started despite a finger injury and was important.
Peta Toeava (28 assists, 32 feeds) was influential for New Zealand along with Nweke and their defence.
The Diamonds were without Jamie-Lee Price (calf) and Matilda Garrett (concussion), while Jo Weston (managed) and Sunday Aryang (knee) are among the regulars not involved in this series.
Marinkovich didn’t make a single change throughout the match.
New Zealand led by one at quarter-time and the same margin at half-time.
But in the third quarter, with New Zealand making multiple changes, the Australians got on top and snatched a then game-high seven-point lead with 90 seconds left in the third quarter.
The Diamonds wouldn’t capitulate this time and held sway to claim victory.
“A bit of a bummer basically to come out with the loss, and probably the level of performance that we know that we are capable of doing,” coach Dame Noeline Taurua said.
“In saying that, they (Australia) were sublime.
“… But there’s some positive light that will come out of the series and keeps the fire burning, let’s put it that way, for Netball World Cup.”
