Aussie U21’s wrap up series

Australia has wrapped up the 21 and Under Test series against New Zealand with a comprehensive victory at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre on Saturday night.

Full of confidence after their win in the first Test on Thursday night the Australians once again proved too good for their rivals to win the series 47-28.

New Zealand didn’t seem too concerned with their first Test loss as they started brightly in the game, goalers Jessica Tuki and Paula Griffin combining well to establish an early two-goal lead.

But it was to be the only time New Zealand held the upper hand all game as Perth Orioles duo Caitlin Bassett and Kate Beveridge used their significant height difference on their markers to pull Australia level and then open up a 10-point lead by the end of the first quarter.

The second quarter saw Tuki and Griffin give Australian defenders Julie Prendergast and Laura Geitz far more work, as New Zealand won the quarter to close the gap to nine by halftime.

New Zealand centre Rawinia Everitt was involved in everything while defenders Katrina Grant and Elizabeth Manu tightened up their marking on Bassett and Beveridge to keep the Kiwis in the game with the score 25-16 to Australia at the break.

As in the first match of the series both coaches rang the changes at halftime.Nicola van Beek and Jamilah Gupwell were given their chances for New Zealand, coming on at goal defence and wing attack respectively.

Australia also made a change with the impressive Bassett making way for AIS Canberra Darter Nikala Smith. But for all the chopping and changing Australia maintained their handy lead, going into the final break with a ten-point advantage and the series seemingly wrapped up.

New Zealand coach Yvette McCausland-Durie made more changes for the final quarter, taking off Griffin for Te Huinga Reo Selby-Rickit.

Australian coach Lisa Alexander once again claimed the tactical victory though as she brought on Caitlin Thwaites and Renae Hallinan, with both playing key roles throughout the quarter.

For the hosts, Bassett led the way despite only playing two quarters, scoring 20 goals from 27 attempts at 74 per cent while Thwaites was also impressive, scoring 12 goals from 16 attempts at 75 per cent in her one quarter of action.

Griffin was the stand out for New Zealand with 16 goals from 21 attempts at 76 per cent.

Australian 21 and Under captain Julie Prendergast said she was pleased how her team had controlled the match right from the early stages.

“That’s exactly what we talked about before the game, controlling our warm up and controlling the game and I think we did that,” she said.

“We’ve got a good team spirit and this will be the last time we play together as a few of us won’t be eligible next season and I’m just so proud and honoured to have had the chance to captain them.”

Kiwi coach McCausland-Durie said the game had been a disappointing one for her team.

“Not just for the result, at times we did not focus on what we wanted to do during the game,” she said.

“We had some things we wanted to achieve on this tour, and getting everyone on court was one of them but I think there’s still a lot of work to do, particularly with our composure under pressure.”