{"id":246944,"date":"2025-10-28T19:08:14","date_gmt":"2025-10-28T19:08:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/246944\/"},"modified":"2025-10-28T19:08:14","modified_gmt":"2025-10-28T19:08:14","slug":"australia-diamonds-captain-liz-watson-confident-new-zealand-losing-run-can-end-in-fourth-test-of-constellation-cup","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/246944\/","title":{"rendered":"Australia Diamonds captain Liz Watson confident New Zealand losing run can end in fourth Test of Constellation Cup"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Diamonds are “trusting the process” as they prepare for the Constellation Cup-deciding netball clash against the Silver Ferns in Christchurch.<\/p>\n

After two convincing victories to open the four-Test trans-Tasman series, the Australians crashed 61-52 in game three in Hamilton.<\/p>\n

It continued the Diamonds’ winless drought to nine straight matches in New Zealand, dating back to 2021 when all four matches were played in Christchurch due to COVID.<\/p>\n

Diamonds fall to Silver Ferns<\/a><\/p>\n

Australia misses the chance of wrapping up the Constellation Cup in the third Test, with New Zealand recording a 61-52 victory in Hamilton.<\/p>\n

But Australian captain Liz Watson said her team would not change too much for Wednesday night’s match on the back of their loss, having built belief from their performances in the opening two games.<\/p>\n

“Yeah, look, obviously disappointed with that game, obviously the loss but then the way we were playing as well,” the mid-court ace said from Christchurch on Tuesday.<\/p>\n

“I think we’re taking lots of confidence from the first two games as well, knowing there’s not big shifts that we have to change in our game plan.<\/p>\n

“It’s not all doom and gloom, I think the scoreline definitely didn’t reflect how it felt out there on court, it did feel like a really tight contest.”<\/p>\n

Watson acknowledged her world champion team’s recent lean record in New Zealand and was not looking for any excuses, preferring to give credit to the world number two Kiwis.<\/p>\n

“I guess it’s no lie, we have that record here, it’s not awesome,” the 31-year-old said.<\/p>\n

“When you are playing at home you do have that familiarity, it’s like a lot more comfortable, you’ve got your fans and your friends there as well which is something that obviously the Ferns are thriving on, playing over here.<\/p>\n

“But we’ve got to be able to play anywhere at any time and that’s been the focus for us for such a long time.<\/p>\n

“The way we played on the other day wasn’t our usual style so we have to look at that and not put any excuses of where we are or what environment we’re in.”<\/p>\n

If New Zealand level the series at 2-2, the teams will contest a mini match dubbed Series Decider Time, which is two seven-minute halves.<\/p>\n

Stream End Game with Tony Armstrong on ABC iview<\/a><\/p>\n

Tony Armstrong will tackle Australia’s overdue reckoning with racism in sport, with the help of some of its biggest sports stars.<\/p>\n

If the teams still can’t be separated play will continue until one side leads by two goals \u2014 and they will be crowned the Constellation Cup champions.<\/p>\n

Watson said her team had the fitness if extra time was required, and the desire with New Zealand the current Cup holders.<\/p>\n

Australia have won eight of the last 10 series but the Kiwis won last year’s battle 3-1.<\/p>\n

“It’s going to show that the best team on the day is going to have to take it all the way,” Watson said.<\/p>\n

“Those healthy wins we had in Australia were good for our performance but obviously the goals don’t mean anything now so we hope it doesn’t get to that, we hope we can do it in 60 minutes.<\/p>\n

“At the end of the day it’s 15 minutes, it’s going to come down to that heart and the passion of the team that really wants it.”<\/p>\n

AAP<\/p>\n

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