The Silver Ferns have tumbled to another one-sided defeat to Australia, falling 55-46 in the second Constellation Cup test in Brisbane on Sunday.
After their 10-goal loss in the opening test, the result means the New Zealanders go 2-0 down in the series and need to beat the Diamonds by a combined margin of 19 goals in the final two matches to win, meaning the world champions have likely locked the trans-Tasman prize away for another year.
Grace Nweke returned from her injury absence under a strict 30-minute restriction but the star shooter's injection wasn't enough to reverse the ferns' fortunes, after their 10-goal loss in the opening test.
She featured in the second and fourth quarters, sinking 21/24 attempts in an encouraging comeback performance – her first since suffering a knee injury at the World Cup in South Africa.
Australia took a five goal lead at the end of the first quarter, which they maintained heading into halftime.
In the third quarter, the Diamonds made their move – pulling nine goals clear as Nweke sat on the bench.
The Ferns struggled to find the penetration they needed without Nweke on the court, as the Aussies pulled eased to the finish line.
“We reduced the margin by a goal but we’ve got heaps more to give and we’re really looking forward to getting back to New Zealand,” Silver Ferns captain Ameliaranne Ekenasio said.
“Australia have really shown how good they are. They’re all class but we have to step up, we have to be able to take it to them. We’ve got two games left, so the series is far from over but we have to hit them right from the start of a match and not leave it until later in the game.”
The teams now cross the Tasman for the NZ leg of the series, with the third test to be played in Invercargill on Thursday and the final in Auckland next Monday.
Australia 55 (Koenen 33/33, Austin 21/26, Dwyer 1/1) Silver Ferns 46 (Walmsley 17/19, Ekenasio 6/9, Nweke 21/24, Metuarau 2/2)
