\u201cI think we knew the Ferns were going to come out firing \u2026 we knew if we could just grind it out and grind it out, the opportunities would come,\u201d MVP Kate Moloney said.<\/p>\n
Kiwi captain Karin Burger described the loss as \u201cdisappointing\u201d, after allowing the Diamonds to outscore them by 13 goals in the last quarter.<\/p>\n
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\u201cThey really gave it to us,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
The Diamonds celebrate victory in game one.Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n
Sophie Garbin finished the pick of the goalers with 42 goals at 93%, ahead of Kiwi star Grace Nweke who nailed 37 goals at 90%.<\/p>\n
Nweke was under intense pressure from the Diamonds \u201cfortress\u201d in defence as Fever premiership teammates Courtney Bruce and Sunday Aryang starred in the latter\u2019s first match of this international season.<\/p>\n
Aryang had missed the clean sweep series win over South Africa, but came in to replace Jo Weston and had an immediate impact.<\/p>\n
With scores tied after one quarter and the Diamonds holding a two-goal buffer at the main break, it was the second-half where Australia really blew the game open.<\/p>\n
The floodgates opened late in the third term as New Zealand struggled to sight star Grace Nweke, repeatedly throwing ball away over the baseline.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey came out with a game-plan the Diamonds after quarter time \u2026 be physical, really try to stamp their authority on the game,\u201d Bianca Chatfield praised.<\/p>\n
And it was that physicality that the Silver Ferns struggled to handle.<\/p>\n
Together with Jamie-Lee Price in wing defence, the Diamonds defenders made up for the errors coming in attack.<\/p>\n
\u201cCourtney Bruce, Sunday Aryang, Jamie-Lee Price have really been a fortress,\u201d Diamonds great Cath Cox praised.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey\u2019ve been strong on hands over, prepared to be on the body but ready to have a crack at anything outside the circle.\u201d<\/p>\n
Courtney Bruce was marched under the post for this act.Source: FOX SPORTS<\/p>\n
\u201cThey are riding their players,\u201d ex-Diamonds defender Bianca Chatfield said.<\/p>\n
While Bruce had four gains to her name, she also drew unwanted attention from the umpire when she was marched under the goalpost.<\/p>\n
Bruce had been caught out of position by a strong Mila Reuelu-Buchanan pocket drive and opted to go with the arms over.<\/p>\n
It was that action that saw the Ferns midcourter push the ball into Bruce to draw the penalty.<\/p>\n
While the Diamonds were looking strong in defence, they were shaky at times in attack as Ferns goal keeper Kelly Jackson\u2019s long arms played havoc.<\/p>\n
With Australia coughing up six turnovers to half time, it was Kiera Austin with four of them to her name.<\/p>\n
The Diamonds two-goal buffer quickly grew in the third term as errors came from the Silver Ferns.<\/p>\n
With Bruce getting the better of Nweke, the visitors were guilty of coughing up ball on repeat.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s going to be a long fourth quarter if they cannot get this ball through,\u201d netball great Cat Tuivaiti warned.<\/p>\n
Kiwi coach Yvette McCausland-Durie made wholesale changes in the final term with rookie Catherine Hall getting her first minutes against Australia while Amelia Walmsley, Peta Toeava and Kimiora Poi were all injected.<\/p>\n
Sophie Garbin shoots over the Kiwi defence.Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n
But they could do little as Australia\u2019s confidence, and lead, continued to grow.<\/p>\n
As the margin hit double figures, Diamonds coach Stacey Marinkovich made her first changes with just five minutes to play.<\/p>\n
Amy Parmenter came into wing defence while Matilda Garrett joined as goal defence and Georgie Horjus was brought on as wing attack.<\/p>\n
Game two now heads to Sydney on Wednesday night.<\/p>\n