Thanks Ian!
The scores seem to be getting wider recently. Also, there was a period around 2009 to 2011 (Norma vs Aiken) when wins alternated between the two.
The success of the teams are often based around talismanic shooters: Wilson, McMahon, van Dyk, Tutaia, Bassett, Bueta. NZ now has Nweke but who will fill this role for the Diamonds? Quite amazing that the Diamonds are doing so well recently without one of these.
These archives also bring back lots of memories:
2005 – One-off test in Aus
Jun 29 – NZ 50 def AUS 43 (Sydney)
2005 – One-off test in NZ
Oct 29 – NZ 61 def AUS 36 (Auckland)
Australia’s low year. More seemed to be on the line in those days as tests were not as frequent. The first test is one of my favourites – Davu and Scarlett was such a menacing defence end. The air deflated out of the second test once Ellis was injured.
2008 Sep 17 – AUS 53 def NZ 51 (Christchurch)
2008 Sep 20 – NZ 37 def AUS 31 (Auckland)
In this series, Cox (coming off a career best ANZC season) and McMahon were unavailable for the first test so the Diamonds weren’t given much chance. In steps in Beveridge and Medhurst – the TBirds shooting line to guide the Aussies home. The physical intensity increased for the second test, with IVD being benched after uncharacteristically missing sitting four sitters in the third quarter. Wipiiti came on and shot the lights out from distance in the fourth.
2010 – Commonwealth Games
Oct 14 – NZ 66 def AUS 64 (Delhi) (Final)
Still the greatest test of all time. I’ll remember Scarlett coming on at WD (where she had never played internationally) and wiping the floor of Nourse. The McMahurst combo finally being undone. Cox coming on and almost saving the day, twice. Tutaia’s heroic shooting.
2014 – Constellation Cup
Oct 15 – AUS 51 def NZ 47 (Auckland)
This was a dark series but Mes played well enough in the final game. We finally found a replacement for IVD.
2014 Oct 15 – NZ 58 def AUS 47 (Perth)
Lisa Alexander desperately calling Geitz back from holiday to play the fourth test. Geitz well beaten by Mes and lashing out by whacking Mes in the face in the fourth quarter. This incident always sullied my opinion of Geitz.
2017 – Quad Series in Aus/NZ
Sep 03 – NZ 57 def AUS 47 (Invercargill)
One of Southby’s rare wins over the Diamonds. Things went downhill from there as the Ferns lost the next Constellation Cup 0-4, with the deficits getting bigger each game.
