The Australian Diamonds stormed home to finish the Constellation Cup series with a 68-58 victory over the New Zealand Silver Ferns in Melbourne on Wednesday night.
While the final test of the 2026 Constellation Cup was a dead rubber, it was heated from the get-go.
With World #1 ranking on the line, the pressure was high as both teams traded blows early.
But when the going got tough, the Diamonds dug deep. The Test 3 loss put a fire in the belly and the team fought to retain control despite trailing at half time.
The fresh Diamonds attack line of Sophie Garbin (GS), Georgie Horjus (GA) and Liz Watson (WA) took some time to get ticking, but Jessie Grenvold’s ominous form in defence allowed plenty of turnover ball to transition to attack.
The heavy defensive pressure from both teams kept the score low at the first break, before Horjus broke containment.
It was just minor errors which kept the Diamonds on the back foot at the main change as the Ferns held onto a narrow one-goal lead.
With tired bodies pushing for every turnover, the third quarter became the premiership quarter – and with the force of a home crowd behind them, the Diamonds took control.
They forced errors and changes from the clinical Ferns, whose speed in transition slowed as the pressure got heavier and heavier.
Amy Parmenter threw herself at everything while Courtney Bruce was critical in transition and a strapped-up Kate Moloney and Watson piled on the offensive pressure.
But the big difference was the connection between Horjus and Garbin.
Despite being the shortest in the circle – by a long shot – Horjus was electric and accurate. Garbin’s strength sealed the deal.
A 37-23 second half was the difference as the Diamonds sailed home to put an end to the Ferns’ winning run.
