The Diamonds have held onto their prized world No 1 ranking after avoiding a Constellation Cup clean sweep with a 68-58 win over New Zealand in Melbourne.
New Zealand had already wrapped up the series 3-0 but would have leapfrogged Australia to the top of the netball world rankings for the first time since 2013 if they had won on Wednesday night.
But goal attack Georgie Horjus (26/28, 20 goal assists) turned in a star performance as Australia seized control in the third quarter at Melbourne’s John Cain Arena to avoid a series whitewash.
The 3-1 series loss maintains Australia’s record of never losing all four matches of the trans-Tasman tournament and will keep them as world No 1 when the new rankings are released in December.
The game was Australia’s last before next year’s World Cup defence in Sydney, when the Diamonds will be seeking to re-establish themselves as top dogs after a disappointing Glasgow Commonwealth Games.
Horjus overcame a slow start to turn in a dominant performance at goal attack after quarter-time.
Her role was pivotal given Sophie Garbin (42/47) was largely double-teamed by New Zealand defensive pair Kelly Jackson and Parris Mason
Young goal keeper Jessie Grenvold again impressed up against New Zealand goal shooter Grace Nweke (42/45).
Skipper Liz Watson (50 feeds, 25 goal assists) grew in importance while hometown favourite and vice-captain Kate Moloney started despite a finger injury and was important.
Peta Toeava (28 assists, 32 feeds) was influential for New Zealand along with Nweke and their defence.
The Diamonds were without Jamie-Lee Price (calf) and Matilda Garrett (concussion), while Jo Weston (managed) and Sunday Aryang (knee) are among the regulars not involved in this series.
Coach Stacey Marinkovich didn’t make a single change throughout the match.
The first quarter ebbed and flowed with Australia leading by three goals at one point, before the Silver Ferns reeled them back in.
Dame Noeline Taurua’s charges led by one at quarter-time.
Australia came out of the blocks with more urgency around goal and maintained the arm wrestle, with frequent lead changes again.
Horjus was more involved in a scoring capacity, shooting 8/9 as Australia and New Zealand sank 17 goals apiece, with the Silver Ferns up by a point at half-time.
But in the third quarter, with New Zealand making multiple changes, the Australians got on top and snatched a then game-high seven-point lead with 90 seconds left in the third quarter.
The Diamonds wouldn’t capitulate this time and held sway to claim victory.
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