Australia hoodoo continues as New Zealand pile on pain in Constellation Cup

New Zealand have inflicted more pain on the under-fire Diamonds, pulling off a 62-50 triumph to maintain their perfect start to the Constellation Cup.

With Kate Moloney back from injury, Australia were determined to bounce back from an opening 56-50 loss in Auckland and end their five-year hoodoo across the Tasman.

The Diamonds cut an 11-goal deficit to three goals at the final break, but the Silver Ferns refused to relinquish their control over the netball world No 1 side in a highly physical battle at Christchurch’s Wolfbrook Arena on Wednesday night.

If coach Noeline Taurua’s New Zealand pull off a sweep of the four-game series it will mean Australia surrender top spot on the world rankings for the first time since 2013.

Grace Nweke (49 goals/52 attempts) was once again unconquerable in the circle, while the towering defensive duo of Kelly Jackson and Karin Burger proved too difficult for Australia’s attackers.

Several players hit the deck during the tough tussle and the visitors gave away 84 penalties to New Zealand’s 53 in a desperate bid to force some turnovers.

The Diamonds started brightly, but made uncharacteristic mistakes to trail 17-14 at the first break.

Diamonds captain Liz Watson – playing as centre – was pinged for intentional obstruction after stepping into the circle as she tried to corral Maddy Gordon.

The experienced midcourter gave the ball away to Georgia Heffernan, and the Silver Ferns goal shooter converted easily to put the Kiwis ahead.

Watson was then warned for encroaching into New Zealand’s circle in the third quarter, prompting coach Stacey Marinkovich to bench her skipper.

With Amy Parmenter taking over as wing defence, Moloney’s influence as centre was felt immediately as the Diamonds claimed the third quarter 16-12 and reduced the deficit from seven to three goals.

So influential was Moloney that New Zealand’s Adelaide Lightning star Kate Heffernan was benched as centre in favour of Gordon.

Donnell Wallam also joined the fray in the final term to end her two-year hiatus from the national team and was tasked with helping Moloney complete the comeback.

The goal shooter could only manage seven goals from nine attempts as an under-pressure New Zealand adjusted aptly to contain the damage.