Diamonds revert to Aussie netball style

The world champion Diamonds say they need to get back to the Aussie style of play in their Constellation Cup series opening Test in Auckland.

Liz Watson

Liz Watson says the world champion Diamonds netball team must get back to the Aussie style of play. (AAP)

The Diamonds are determined to impose their "Aussie style" of netball on New Zealand when the Constellation Cup starts on Thursday in Auckland.

The Kiwis have won the annual series just once in the competition's seven-year history, but go into the opening game of the four-match series full of confidence after a 57-47 win last month in Invercargill to secure the Quad Series.

World champions Australia have done of plenty of work since to counter the Silver Ferns' zonal style which had caused them problems in their last meeting.

"We got very hesitant and a bit stagnant in our movement and in our passing, so it's going back to be confident," Diamonds midcourter Liz Watson told AAP.

"Just go back to the Aussie way that we play. Looking back on that footage, it's almost frustrating to see the little mistakes that we were making.

"It's no excuse at this level, so tidying up those little errors and just playing basic simple netball.

"I think we got a little bit carried away with almost a fancy style, or something a little bit more flairy.

"Just simple basic netball is what we're aiming for and keeping that Aussie style.

"Hopefully, we get off to a great start and remain focused."

Australia made a terrible start in Invercargill, trailing 18-10 at the first break.

Recognising they will have few fans in Thursday's crowd, the Diamonds have worked on staying connected in a hostile and noisy environment.

"Going up around each other, giving each other hugs, lots of eye contact and staying tight knit," Watson said.

"I think, in a hostile environment, that's what we need to be doing. We don't have the crowd behind us helping us get that little extra one per cent.

"It is about staying connected right from the moment we walk into the stadium."

On Wednesday evening, Netball Australia confirmed the 12-player line-up for the Constellation Cup opening Test.

DIAMONDS:

* Caitlin Bassett (Sunshine Coast Lightning)

* April Brandley (Collingwood Magpies)

* Courtney Bruce (West Coast Fever)

* Emily Mannix (Melbourne Vixens)

* Caitlyn Nevins (Queensland Firebirds)

* Susan Pettitt (GIANTS Netball)

* Kim Ravaillion (Collingwood Magpies)

* Gabi Simpson (Queensland Firebirds)

* Caitlin Thwaites (Collingwood Magpies)

* Liz Watson (Melbourne Vixens)

* Jo Weston (Melbourne Vixens)

* Stephanie Wood (Sunshine Coast Lightning)


Share

3 min read

Published

Source: AAP



Share this with family and friends


Get SBS News daily and direct to your Inbox

Sign up now for the latest news from Australia and around the world direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Download our apps
SBS News
SBS Audio
SBS On Demand

Listen to our podcasts
An overview of the day's top stories from SBS News
Interviews and feature reports from SBS News
Your daily ten minute finance and business news wrap with SBS Finance Editor Ricardo Gonçalves.
A daily five minute news wrap for English learners and people with disability
Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS
SBS World News

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service
Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world