Netball World Cup 2015 final match review: Australia v. New Zealand at Sydney

The final of the 2015 confirmed, after an early-tournament glitch, Australian supremacy in the world of netball. The final margin flattered the visitors as the hosts’ Magnificent Seven scored their third consecutive world title.

The first quarter was all about Laura Geitz. The Girl from Ipswich played an absolute blinder: intercepting bulleted passes, blocking shots, whacking loose balls over the sideline. Australia led 9-4 at a mid-quarter timeout. Maria Tutaia’s early performance was lacklustre, and the Diamonds went into the first break leading 16-7.

In the second quarter, Geitz continued to neutralise Tutaia, and Renae Hallinan also got into the defensive act. A 25-13 gialloverdi lead was reduced to 25-15 when Tutaia began to get her groove back with a brace of long-range goals. Late in the term, a Kiwi charge narrowed the margin to eight goals; Bailey Mes was more active in attack and relieved some of the pressure on Tutaia.

With the home side cruising, it was up to the Silver Ferns’ goal keeper Casey Kopua to blunt their cascading offence. Her blocked shot and loose ball pick-up gave her team hope, and a see-sawing third quarter witnessed them move to within four goals of the Australians. This was followed by another Diamonds’ onslaught, the home side earning a 43-37 lead at the final change.

With Geitz and the retiring Julie Corletto forming a solid partnership at the back throughout the match (there was no court time for Sharni Layton, this blog’s equal favourite female sportsperson alongside Ellyse Perry), the Silver Ferns found it impossible to put together that string of consecutive scores necessary to pare back the Aussies’ lead. The hosts were happy to trade goals with their opponents for the middle chunk of the last quarter, retaining their six-goal advantage until Natalie Medhurst broke the rhythm in the eighth minute.

With a 52-44 lead at the ensuing timeout, and with Medhurst and shooting partner Caitlin Bassett proving difficult to stop, the Kiwis had little chance of clawing their way back. With one minute and eight seconds left in the match, the score was 57-54, but any potential New Zealand fightback was blocked by the Diamonds’ skill in closing down the game. Though Medhurst would miss her final shot, it proved academic, as the curtain closed on an entertaining tournament, though one predictably dominated by the sport’s ‘Big Four’.

Australia 58 (Caitlin Bassett 48/51; Natalie Medhurst 10/13) – New Zealand 55 (Maria Tutaia 38/53; Bailey Mes 17/22)