Australia have cemented their status as the world’s best netball team, beating New Zealand 58-55 in a fiery and physical World Cup final in Sydney.
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The next world championships are four years away, in England, where New Zealand will look to claim the title for the first time in, wait for it, 16 years – since the Ruth Aitken-coached Ferns beat Australia in Jamaica in 2003.
The third quarter Malawi come back made New Zealand make changes introducing Maria Tutia for Jodi Brown in goal attack.
Up front, Tutaia continued her fine work, and after a quick run of five successive goals, Australia’s lead had shrunk to just four.
In the third quarter Malawi narrowed the gap to three by trailing 39-42.
Australia was the bear that was poked in the preliminary rounds of the Netball World Cup, and the proud and hugely competitive beast that responded in the match that mattered. She wavered again in the news conference after thanking the Diamonds’ medical staff, having limped in with two ice packs strapped to her knees and a moon boot on her sore foot.
The winners of that game will likely take on holders, hosts and tournament favourites Australia in the final in Sydney on Sunday.
She hailed the depth of the Australian squad, including up-and-coming midcourter Paige Hadley, as more than capable of taking the Diamonds to a fourth straight title in 2019.
“Probably the most emotional thing is to share it with Jules”, said the long-serving goal attack.
Rachel Dunn ended the 2015 Netball World Cup on a high as England were victorious against Jamaica in yesterday’s bronze medal match. However, the Aussies out-scored them 18-14 down the stretch, to clinch a spot in the final against New Zealand.
Captain Laura Geitz, arm in arm with Corletto and coach Lisa Alexander, described her team-mate as an inspiration. But the emergence of naturally gifted African sides and the rapid “Trans-Tasman-isation” of the match play of other nations, including England and South Africa, is exciting for the game.
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There was some satisfaction and pride in how far they had come as a group over the past six weeks, but the overriding feeling in the team was one of regret at their disastrous 16-7 opening quarter, during which they failed to execute their game plan.
