Netball World Cup 2023: Australian Diamonds vs Zimbabwe Gems, result, Game one, pool stage, scores, updates, stats, video, stream, result, news, blog

The Australian Diamonds have got their first win of the Netball World Cup with a statement 86-30 victory over Zimbabwe.

The Aussies were dominant from the outset, with coach Stacey Marinkovich able to empty her bench and get all players on court for their tournament opener.

The only concern for the Diamonds was the heavy hit of captain Liz Watson as she crashed over an advertising board in the opening term.

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While able to play on, her thigh and knee was heavily strapped for the second term before she made her way from the court minutes into the third term.

Watson was able to laugh off the moment post-match.

“That was so embarrassing,” she told Fox Netball.

“The camera lady actually apologized to me!”

Player of the match Courtney Bruce proved the biggest threat to the Gems with nine gains in just a half of netball.

In the attack end, Cara Koenen finished 29/30, Sophie Garbin 27/30, Kiera Austin 18/20 and Steph Wood 12/13 in a half of netball.

STARTING SEVEN: GS Koenen, GA Wood, WA Watson, C Hadley, WD Brazill, GD Aryang, GK Bruce

QUARTER BY QUARTER MATCH REPORT

It was a strong start from the Diamonds with the early turnover, but a Cara Koenen miss gifted the Gems the equaliser.

When wing attack Beaula Hlungwani couldn’t reel in a loose ball, the Diamonds put themselves back in front.

“They’ll have to keep the ball short and sharp or the Diamonds will have a crack at it,” commentator Madison Browne.

Accuracy proved an issue for Zimbabwe as Courtney Bruce cleaned up the rebounds in defence.

Diamonds skipper Liz Watson was able to bounce back up after crashing into the advertising boards trying to chase down a loose ball.

And the captain’s willingness to throw her body around sparked her side as the Diamonds lifted defensively.

“Watson, going over the sideline there... lucky she’s up and OK,” Browne said.

By quarter time, it was Australia leading 20-11.

Coach Stacey Marinkovich opted against making any changes to her line up, with Watson returning to the court with her thigh heavily strapped.

Diamond Bruce racked up her seventh gain for the match early in the second term as commentators said it was like a “walk in the park” for the defender.

“She’s really putting doubt into the mind,” Browne praised.

“The Diamonds really starting to kick into gear in this second quarter.”

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As the lead pushed out to double figures, the Gems just forced the ball too often.

At half time, the Diamonds pushed the score out 41-18.

Cara Koenen had 29/30 goals while Steph Wood landed 12/13 out at goal attack.

Remarkably, the Aussies conceded just 16 penalties in the entire first half in an impressive, disciplined display.

Only Liz Watson in WA and Ash Brazill in WD remained on court for the third term, as Jo Weston (GD), Sarah Klau (GK), Jamie-Lee Price (C), Kiera Austin (GA) and Sophie Garbin (GS) came into the match.

Austin and Watson both hit the deck early in the third as it was bodies on the line against Zimbabwe.

The Diamonds skipper then made her way off the court minutes later as Hadley returned at WA.

Front half turnovers were “killing” the Gems in the third term, as Klau and Weston put plenty of doubt in the attackers’ minds.

Commentators praised Australia as “untouchable” as the lead pushed past 30 goals.

Gems goal keeper Elizabeth Mushore pulled in her third intercept, but her efforts weren’t rewarded by her shooters.

By three quarter time it was Australia leading 62-24.

There was just the one change for the Diamonds in the final term with Aryang coming on at WD to replace Ash Brazill.

But a second change came moments later when goal defender Jo Weston copped a nasty poke to the eye and headed straight for the bench, as Bruce returned to the action.

Weston was able to rejoin the match after a few minutes as both sides traded goals.

Some beautiful movement between shooters gifted Austin a goal in promising signs of what’s to come for the Diamonds.

“I am really loving the Austin-Garbin connection,” Browne said.

By full time, it was Australia who claimed the 86-30 victory.

Earlier in the day, New Zealand opened their World Cup defence with a 76-27 win over Trinidad and Tobago.

Unlike the Diamonds, the Silver Ferns were out of the blocks with a bang in a shock 23-2 opening term.

Coach Dame Noeline Taurua rung the changes immediately, and got every player out on court by half time.

Grace Nweke proved the key with 31 goals at 100% accuracy in just a half of netball.

Defenders Karin Bruger and Phoenix Karaka racked up 13 gains between them.

In the other match, Tonga had to fight back from an early five-goal deficit to record their first ever World Cup group stage win.

Former Collingwood Magpies training partner Uneeq Palavi was the hero for the Talas with 39 goals at 95% accuracy.

Forty-two year old mother of two, and former Diamond, Mo’onia Gerard was impressive in defence, shifting to goal keeper after her side’s slow start.

And former Silver Fern Cat Tuivaiti showed she’s still got it with her tricks on full display in her half on court, with 11 goals at 100%.

Queensland Firebirds training partner Hulita Veve led her team in the midcourt with a stunning five gains, 21 goal assists and two deflections.

Tonga finished 56-51 winners ahead of their clash with Australia on Saturday.

In the final match of the first session, Uganda demolished Singapore 79-37.