The Australian Diamonds take on their arch rivals the New Zealand Silver Ferns in the second semi-final at the Commonwealth Games in the match that many had predicted would be the final. Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match, starting from 5pm AEST.
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It’s very unusual for these two giants of international netball not to be battling it out for the gold medal but that doesn’t mean that this game should be seen as lacking any of the tension of a final.
The Diamonds have, as many expected, gone through the group stages in fine form and won all five of their games.
Whilst not surprising, the alarming side of things is that they seem to be getting better with each game and are still hungry to play that perfect game.
They are leading the competition in many of the key statistical areas including some crazy domination in the goals scored category – 50 more than the second placed team South Africa (who are not in the semis).
Add to that their depth on the bench and it really is hard to see where there is a chink in the armour that the Silver Ferns can aim to exploit.
For the New Zealanders, not only are they facing a very talented Australian team, their own form has slipping.
Even before the game there were some worrying signs when they lost two games to Jamaica (who will go up against England in the other semi final).
Those blips of form have become more concerning in the group stages here on the Gold Coast where they have lost to England and Malawi.
Despite these rumours of a decline in the Silver Ferns form, the Australians will clearly not be underestimating them.
Australian Centre Kimberley Ravaillion explained during the week that the New Zealanders are still fearsome and will look to lift against their old rivals.
There is a lot at stake in this game – obviously a gold/silver medal is up for grabs but beyond that this game could end careers.
Silver Ferns coach Southby has already had people calling for her head after the recent run of disappointing results and a loss to the Australians on Saturday could be the final act for her.
It’s going to be an amazing game. Since netball was introduced to the Commonwealth Games back in 1998 there has never been a final that hasn’t seen the trans-Tasman rivals go head to head.
This all changes in 2018 and it promises to be a classic to see who gets to keep their gold medal hopes alive.
Prediction
Yes it’s a one off game and anything can happen.
Yes the Silver Ferns know they can beat the Diamonds.
Yes there will be great pressure on the Australians to win in front of their home crowd.
No, the Silver Ferns will not win this one.
Australia to win by 10 and go into the final in great form.
Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match, starting from 5pm AEST on Saturday.
Oliver Matthews
Expert
Full Time 15' - And there it is the final whistle is blown and the Aussies are all smiles but humble and subdued celebrations. I think that's partly a result of the game being over at half time basically and the fact that this Aussie side know that the thing that matters is the gold tomorrow. The Diamonds never looked on trouble from the opening minute. Their pace and control in attack coupled with ruthless defence made life so hard for the Kiwis. The Silver Ferns sadly just couldn't match that efficiency - too many mistakes, too many shots having to be taken from distance and not enough pressure in defence just meant that they were always going to struggle to compete. There were definitely periods - especially in the first quarter - where the Ferns were able to put a run of goals together and try and draw the Aussies back in but they could never do it consistently. The Diamond players are in a huddle and their final words are "One more game!" - ominous focus for the English to have to come up against tomorrow. It should be a great clash tomorrow between England and Australia - maybe the beginnings of a new rivalry at the very top of international netball. You'd have to say that the Diamonds will be firm favourites and have been the best side in the Games by far. Thanks for joining us and hope you enjoy the final! Australia: 65 New Zealand: 44
Oliver Matthews
Expert
14' - Less than a minute to go and the Diamonds will be thinking about the final tomorrow. Still time for another goal though as the Diamonds work their way into the circle and there it is - the biggest ever score at a Commonwealth Games. Australia: 65 New Zealand: 43
Oliver Matthews
Expert
13' - Pressure from the Kiwis midfield on the Diamonds but it gets a whistle from the ref and the Diamonds get a chance to work their way into the circle again. Australia: 63 New Zealand: 42
Oliver Matthews
Expert
12' - For every hard fought goal that the Kiwis earn, the Diamonds just reply with a rapid score of their own and the Kiwis just can't get a run of scores to reduce the lead even a little. Australia: 61 New Zealand: 40
Oliver Matthews
Expert
10' - The tension has gone out of the game as the result is beyond doubt but the players are still running hard and the crowd keeps cheering. Lead is out to 21 now as the Kiwis use great speed there to move into a shooting position. Australia: 60 New Zealand: 39
Oliver Matthews
Expert
8' - Final 6 minutes of this semi final as the Diamonds give back possession to the Ferns as they look to find a shooting opportunity. Ferns still finding it hard to get the ball in to the circle but they have the ball and keep searching for that gap. Folau tries another long one but it hits the rim and is regained by the Aussies. Australia: 58 New Zealand: 37
Oliver Matthews
Expert
8' - Lovely read from Grant in defence for the Kiwis as she intercepts that pass in from the Aussies. Ferns still working hard and wanting to finish strong. Australia: 58 New Zealand: 36
Oliver Matthews
Expert
5' - Silver Ferns continue to rely upon Folau too much but she does drain another one and the Kiwis will keep fighting til the end. It just takes the Ferns far much more effort to get their shots on goal whereas the Diamonds move so quickly from defence to attack and really give the Kiwis no time at all. Australia: 56 New Zealand: 33
Oliver Matthews
Expert
2' - More of the same - Diamonds ruthless in both defence and attack and have 2 more goals already while the Kiwis haven't scored yet. Australia: 52 New Zealand: 30
Oliver Matthews
Expert
1' - So 15 minutes to go until the Aussies are in yet another Commonwealth Games final. You can't imagine them taking their foot of the gas though and it's anyone's guess as to how big this winning margin will end up. Silver Ferns have the opening centre pass. I wonder what England are thinking watching this? Australia: 50 New Zealand: 30
Oliver Matthews
Expert
15' - The end of the 3rd quarter and this game is done. The Diamonds have a 20 point lead and there is no way that they are going to lose that lead in 15 minutes of netball. That quarter really saw the Diamonds put the killer blows to the Ferns. The defence was tight and aggressive and the midfield has totally dominated. The Kiwis are playing for pride now. Australia: 50 New Zealand: 30
Oliver Matthews
Expert
14' - Wood nails a nice shot and the Aussies are in full control of this. Australia: 50 New Zealand: 30
Oliver Matthews
Expert
14' - The Kiwis are beginning to fade a bit - they know this one has gone. Lead out to 20 now. Australia: 49 New Zealand: 29
Oliver Matthews
Expert
13' - Diamonds continuing to make life very hard for the Ferns defence - no matter how hard the defence works the Diamonds are able to find a way through to their shooters. 16-8 the score in this quarter. Australia: 48 New Zealand: 29
Oliver Matthews
Expert
10' - New Zealand haven't scored for 6 goals and the gap is getting out of control. Australia: 43 New Zealand: 28
Oliver Matthews
Expert
8' - Diamonds continue to stretch their lead - they just don't miss an opportunity. Lead out to 14 now as the Diamonds begin to pull further away. They've been bringing on some new players this quarter but they have been even more ruthless if anything. Incredible depth and talent. Australia: 41 New Zealand: 25
Oliver Matthews
Expert
5' - Folau keeps her long range radar locked on the net and gets another to close the gap to 10. Some great work in defence by the Kiwis as the Aussies were struggling to break them down but then a couple of errors and the Aussies get the free shot and the goal. Australia: 36 New Zealand: 25
Oliver Matthews
Expert
4' - The Silver Ferns just aren't able to put enough pressure on the Diamonds when the Aussies have the ball. The Aussies are having to work hard for sure but they are not needing to take any risks and their patient and efficient passing is carving the Ferns up. Australia: 35 New Zealand: 23
Oliver Matthews
Expert
1' - Second half will start with the Silver Ferns in possession. They have a mountain to climb and it starts badly as the pass goes loose and the Diamonds have it back. They get the first score of the half and the second and the lead is out to 13 now. Australia: 34 New Zealand: 21
Oliver Matthews
Expert
Half Time 15' - At the half time break the Diamonds are in full control of this semi final and have an 11 point lead. The second quarter was crucial for the Ferns - they were behind by 6 goals at the first break and could not allow the Diamonds to pull away even further. But in that second quarter the Kiwis began to make more mistakes under the pressure. They've been running hard but the Aussie defence is always forcing them away from the net and the Kiwis are being forced to try high risk passes or long range shots. Either way the mistakes and misses are happening too often for the Ferns. At the other end the Diamonds are looking smooth and controlled in attack and with the extra possession that their defence is giving them, they are taking full advantage. It's hard to see a way back for the Silver Ferns here. They will keep fighting but the Diamonds are in full control and are just not being put under enough pressure for long enough. Australia: 32 New Zealand: 21