Slow Boat To China
Tagged in: Tall Ferns
One small step towards the Beijing Olympics … many, many, many more required.
It may only have been a notch above scrimmage status, but the NZ Tall Ferns left themselves many unanswered questions as they fell 39-84 to the world champion Australian Opals in the first of two encounters at the Australian Institute of Sport in Canberra on Saturday night.
After starting slowly, the Kiwis pulled within a point of their highly touted rivals (21-22) midway through the second quarter, but immediately conceded 13 consecutive points in a 39-6 run that carried the Aussies clear for good.
The Ferns battled foul trouble throughout the encounter with starting “bigs” Aneka Kerr and Karlene Kingi collecting their fourth personals soon after halftime as they battled to nullify veteran Opals centre Suzy Batkovic.
By the end of the night, New Zealand had shot just 27% FG, 13% 3pt, committed an unacceptable 34 turnovers and sent their rivals to the foul line 36 times.
Despite fouling out late in the third period, Kerr led her team with 11 points (3/7 FG, 5/7 FT). Kingi battled for eight points, seven boards and a block, while Charmian Purcell, who has spent most of the past 12 months rehabilitating torn knee ligaments, gathered four points, eight rebounds and three assists.
Neither team were close to full strength. Most of the Australia stars, mostly notably Lauren Jackson, Kristi Harrower and Penny Taylor, were still playing for their European clubs and coach Jan Stirling had divided her squad for the two scrimmages against New Zealand.
Ferns coach Mike McHugh was missing injured starters Kate McMeeken-Ruscoe and Jess McCormack, while forward Lisa Wallbutton had been a late withdrawal from the camp.
The two teams will line up again on Sunday morning, after which both coaches will name rosters for the Good Luck Beijing Olympic test event later this month.
Trans Tasman National Teams Camp
AIS, Canberra
Saturday, April 5
Australian Opals 84 (Rohanee Cox 15, Erin Phillips 13, Suzy Batkovic 11) NZ Tall Ferns 39 (Aneka Kerr 11)
1Q: 18-13
HT: 41-24 (23-11)
3Q: 71-33 (30-9)
FT: 84-39 (13-6)
NZ Tall Ferns v Australian Opals Game One Webcast
