Constellation Cup: Aussie Diamonds to turn the tap on Silver Ferns stars to rescue series
Australia must slow down New Zealand’s mid-court and turn off the tap to star goal-shooter Grace Nweke if they are to claw their way back into the Constellation Cup series.
That’s the view of Diamonds Sunday Aryang and Rudi Ellis, who deny they are feeling any pressure, despite their side falling two games behind in the four-match series.
The Diamonds have their backs against the wall in a do-or-die clash at RAC Arena on Sunday, the first of two Australian matches.
Nweke shot 50 of 53 attempts in the first game and 47 of 51 in the second on Wednesday to break open the series for New Zealand.
The 22-year-old has worked over all-star defensive pairing Courtney Bruce and Jo Weston this series and teammates feel the key to stopping her is to force higher circle entries.
And they’ll need a healthy amount of “mongrel”, according to Rudi Ellis.
“I think it takes a lot of grit, a bit of mongrel in defence and that resilience in attack,” she said.
“We have been practicing lots of hands over to force a higher ball into Grace and hopefully the goal-keeper position can come out and have a platform.”
The Diamonds made just one intercept in Wednesday’s heavy 63-52 defeat. Captain Liz Watson was pulled out of the midcourt and benched during the loss.
But Aryang says they will have to find a way to defend better higher up the court.
“Grace does have some great form at the moment, I think for us it’s just working together in that circle, being able to get up for those balls and slowing it down as much as possible outside the circle,” Aryang said.
“As long as we can shutdown what’s happening outside, we should be able to bring some impact in the back.”
Ellis denied the group’s confidence had taken a beating by back-to-back defeats across the ditch.
“I don’t think our confidence has been affected too much, we are a pretty positive bunch,” she said.
Camera IconCourtney Bruce of Australia challenges Grace Nweke of New Zealand. Credit: Dave Rowland/Getty Images
“I think we’re just really excited to step our there again and have this challenge ahead of us.”
The best Australia can hope for now is to draw the series. If that happens, the two signs will play a mini-game after Wednesday night’s series finale at John Cain Arena.
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