2019 CONSTELLATION CUP NZ v AUS TEST 1 (Christchurch)

That was so exciting to watch. Feel Diamonds made if harder for themselves in the circle. His many times did Bassett and Tippet pass out? Their both not wanting to shoot from distance is a weakness, and I’ve seen Tippet shoot from mid range, she needs to back herself and put the shot up.

Ferns were so quick, great shooting from anywhere. But, what happens at C after Langman retires?

Wow!!
What an exciting game to watch live.
Mind you I don’t think I’ve been so quiet at a live Netball game ever. Lol.
Crowd gave the Silver Ferns a rousing standing Ovation when they entered the Arena, but then when the game started were strangely quiet. Me, well I was yelling D, D, D every time the Diamonds had the ball and people were looking at me like I was the crazy one. No people you should be yelling to!!

Game was very good. Great quality netball from both teams. You could just tell from the start that it was going to go down to the wire and with the largest lead only being 6 goals and both teams clawing back from similar deficits it did indeed go down to the wire.

I have too confess to now being a Tippett convert. Her athleticism and the way she twists herself around in thee circle to land close to the post is amazing to watch. But she has a reluctance to shoot from long which a few times could have relieved the pressure for the Diamonds. But no lay-ups. Mind you IMO she is lucky that she doesn’t get called for the step-in shooting action she uses. She relies on the defender getting pinged for contact on her arm.

Ekenasio the deserved MVP. Amazing shooting and movement. Saunders had a mighty game against the Diamonds best WD. Karaka did well for her 3 qtrs. But I think ran out of puff after some mighty attempts at intercepts and tight marking. I thought that maybe Rore would be moved back and Burger used at WD, but Burger did well at GD. That circle combination will be the true test of this series for the Silver Ferns. If Karaka and Burger can continue to grow and add to the support they gave Watson last night then it will go a long way to helping the Silver Ferns to a series victory. Similarly if Saunders improves or Crampton returns with the form she showed in the WCs final then the attack end will really hum.

Umpiring pretty consistent. Will watch game on Sky to hear some of the calls and also to listen to Commentators. One thing I did comment on was that there seemed to be a few held balls not called. For both teams.

One last thought. After three 1 goal victory margins in the last three SFs/Diamonds clashes and the SFS winning two of those is it time for fans to expect a SFs victory in every game rather than hoping for a SFs victory but expecting the Diamonds to win?

• This reply was modified 5 years, 3 months ago by TrentA.

Taurua hasn’t confirmed she is not staying on.

I think the only thing she has confirmed is that she hasn’t confirmed anything, and that she won’t confirm anything until after the January Quad Series (or whatever its new name is, I forget).