Live: Silver Ferns beat England to retain Taini Jamison Trophy

30 Sep 2023
Silver Ferns

Taini Jamison Trophy: Silver Ferns v England. Venue: Globox Arena, Hamilton. Start time: Saturday, 7pm. Coverage: Live on Sky Sport, live blog on Stuff from 6.40pm.

After Sunday's stinker in Christchurch, the Silver Ferns bounced back with a pivotal win against England in game two.

That sets up a winner takes all third test in Hamilton on Saturday for the Taini Jamison Trophy.

The Ferns will be determined to follow up their emphatic 57-36 victory in Porirua, while England will be eager to recapture their strong form from the series opener.

Here’s everything you need to know for test three.

Dave Rowland/Getty Images

Silver Ferns centre Maddy Gordon looks for a pass during the Taini Jamison Trophy decider in Hamilton.

The teams

New Zealand:

Shooters: Maia Wilson, Ameliaranne Ekenasio, Tiana Metuarau, Amelia Walmsley

Midcourt: Whitney Souness, Kate Heffernan, Mila Reuelu-Buchanan, Maddy Gordon

Defenders: Karin Burger, Kelly Jury, Jane Watson, Phoenix Karaka

MARTY MELVILLE/PHOTOSPORT

Amelia Walmsley shone in her Silver Ferns debut in Porirua, converting 36 goals from 41 attempts.

England:

Shooters: Sasha Glasgow, Emma Thacker, Berri Neil, Sophie Drakeford-Lewis

Midcourt: Hannah Joseph, Alicia Scholes, Elle McDonald, Amy Carter, Ellie Rattu

Defenders: Ella Bowen, Vicki Oyesola, Halimat Adio, Jayda Pechova, Alice Harvey

MARTY MELVILLE/PHOTOSPORT

Mila Reuelu-Buchanan was a standout performer, starting at wing attack in the second test.

TAB odds:

New Zealand: $1.09

England: $6

Stat chat

- This will be the 111th meeting between the sides, who first met at the 1963 World Cup in Eastbourne, England, where New Zealand won 56-29.

- The Silver Ferns hold a 92 win, 16 loss, and two draw record against England in 110 previous meetings.

- The sides have met on Kiwi soil on 44 occasions, with the Silver Ferns winning 33, England nine, and two draws played out.

MARTY MELVILLE/PHOTOSPORT

England's Sasha Glasgow and Silver Ferns defender Phoenix Karaka tussle for the ball in Porirua.

What to expect?

With the Constellation Cup looming against Australia next month, the Ferns must back up their second test showing and finish the series positively.

They have to put together another dominant performance, limit their error rate, and continue to build smooth attacking connections.

England will be disappointed with what they produced in Porirua and will know the final test is a chance to put things right and win the series.

The Roses started slowly in the second test, falling behind by 10 goals after the first quarter. To beat the Ferns in Hamilton, they must come out firing from the opening whistle and not fall into an early hole on the scoreboard.

MARTY MELVILLE/PHOTOSPORT

Silver Ferns shooter Amelia Walmsley is challenged by England captain Halimat Adio in Porirua.

Any changes to the starting lineups?

Ferns coach Dame Noeline Taurua kept the same starting seven for the full 60 minutes in Porirua.

Given how those players performed, it would be a surprise if she made any alterations for the decider.

Nineteen-year-old Amelia Walmsley thrived on debut, converting 36 from 41, after missing her first two attempts in international netball.

Mila Reuelu-Buchanan also seized her chance, starting at wing attack over Whitney Souness, and deserves another opportunity.

England might be tempted to mix up their starting seven. Berri Neil added spark in the shooting end after she took the court, finishing with 18 from 24.

Wing attack Alicia Scholes, the daughter of former England and Manchester United football legend Paul Scholes, also went well after she was injected into the game. She might have earned a first test start for the Roses, given what she produced in her 44 minutes on court.

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