2021 CONSTELLATION CUP – NZ v AUST (March)

NZ have won 7 of the 12 quarters played so far and have advantage of 11 to 9 goal difference.

What a series.

Poi was amazing. Id love to see Australia play more test matches each year so our young players can develop more. This series is really showing how valuable it is to get caps into players and let them make mistakes so they can come on and have great impact like Burger, Poi etc.

Bassett needed to take that chance. Unfortunately for her she was well beaten.

Koenen wasn’t the problem.

Klau and Bruce were comprehensively beaten. No change. Marinkovich appears to have made her call there. Diamonds needed to win ball and they just weren’t. I’d like to see Bruce get another chance on Wilson next game. I don’t agree with the view that Weston doesn’t match up well on Eke. But if that’s Marinkovich’s view then give Jenner a chance. A strong tight marking GD is needed to slow Eke down. Bruce attacks the ball but doesn’t tag like a Weston or Jenner.

The change in C should have come at 3/4 time. I’d like to see Price get a chance there or more time for Charles. Watson gets so much attention that whoever is in C should be free and they both feed the circle with confidence.

Austin faded again unfortunately. Why can’t we see Koenen at GA? With Austin at GS. I don’t think Bassett is the answer.

Tomorrow will be interesting to see what Diamonds do. Not just with the team and positions but the captaincy. Watson was the best Australian today. Bruce wasn’t great today. But can Stacey resist…. :whistle: :whistle:

• This reply was modified 3 years, 10 months ago by Tully.

Also can Stacey look past Charles and try JLP as the C change up? And if she subs out Charles then I hope it’s to play Hadley or Price as unfortunately for Anstiss WD is not the issue this series(which is weird because in recent history it has been the issue).

I feel like Taurua has played the long game and is prepared to rotate players. Poi, Winders and Saunders amazing.

Marinkovich has an amazing team, we just haven’t seen enough of them. Will Bruce, Watson etc have the legs? Those games are intense!

• This reply was modified 3 years, 10 months ago by Baller.

Winders MVP?!? Watson had 42 feeds against her! Winders had 1 intercept, 3 deflections and 2 pickups. I know it isn’t all stats but her opponent had 42 feeds (20 more than any other player on the court). Jane Watson was more damaging. Wilson was MVP by a long way and Australia needs to come up with a plan to stop her and Eke as they were nowhere near it today (Eke also played very very well and set it up for Wilson time and again).

It’s such a shame that the Specialist Shooting coach doesn’t appear to have made the trip to NZ. Could have been so beneficial for the young shooters.

I agree it’s understandable that Austin tired. Played out of her skin in the first half and as the only natural GA in the team has a lot of pressure on her shoulders. She is IMO doing exceptionally well. If everyone is fit then I don’t think it’s out of the question that both Koenen and Austin will be selected alongside Wood and Tippett. All 4 can play both GS and GA.

For me Austin tiring was just another reason to try Price in C. They play together and it might have given Austin a lift.