Finally watched this game! Absolutely stoked that we got the win.
I feel the difference in this game was the way it was umpired. Our defenders were allowed to contest ball. Nweke was lucky not get pulled for pushing off, which really surprised me. Considering in the 2nd test she was getting pulled for just standing there :unsure:
NZ look like school yard kids, when they’re trying to bring the ball down court. It looks so messy and seems to lack any type of structure. Players are still running on top of each other, they make it look terribly hard. The other main thing I noticed, NZ players never do a front cut (except Toeava). The run behind their players or around them.
Okay enough of the negative from me, anyone would think that we’d lost :scratch:
I was surprisingly impressed with Metaurua. Ekenasio struggled to get away from her player, but Metaurua didn’t seem to have a problem with it. I wonder if spending the last few seasons training against Manu’a, has built her for this style of play.
She also gets herself into the circle, and uses her playmaking skills to work it. I thought they pulled her too early, but it all worked out!
Souness speed helped them out a lot. She was a bit costly at times, but was happy to see her on the court.
I’m wondering if the captaincy is taking its toll on Ekenasio? We’ve seen it happen over the years, when a shooter becomes captain, it affects their game. In saying that, I wouldn’t want anyone else (atm) taking it.
Re Liz Watson: I think it’s a big call to take her off. Not because there’s no other player that can play her position. But I think NZ would see that as a win, and give them huge confidence. Anytime a Diamonds captain is dragged (especially against NZ), it gives us that mental edge. Heffernan was having a good game, but it was still a close contest.
