By JULIE ASH
New Zealand 53 Australia 46
New Zealand scored a clean sweep over archrivals Australia last night, winning the third and final netball test by seven points at Hamilton's Mystery Creek.
Coach Ruth Aitken used her three less experienced players - Jodi Te Huna, Anna Scarlett and Joline Henry - but the decision initially appeared to have failed. After a promising start, New Zealand trailed the Australians 27-21 at halftime and 38-35 at the three-quarter mark.
But in a closely-contested final quarter, the Silver Ferns showed why they are the world's best.
Aitken explained that the changes made to her starting line-up from the first two tests was because it was always the intention to give her entire squad game time in the series.
"I think that it was good for us to be able to get 12 players out there and still pull off the victory - it's fantastic.
"It is great learning out there for those young ones. I thought each and every one of them did some good stuff and they'll go away now ready to work harder and stay out on court longer"
Australian coach Norma Plummer conceded it was "back to the drawing board" for her side.
"I just felt we didn't use our centre passes good enough. I am looking forward to having a lot of players come back into the squad."
Plummer said the inclusion of Irene van Dyk in the third quarter was the telling difference.
"She is a sensational weapon, there is no two ways about it."
The New Zealanders made two changes to their starting line-up, with Te Huna taking the court at goal shoot and Scarlett at goal keep.
The Australians started with virtually the same line-up that finished strongly in the second test.
The only change came in the defence, with Alison Broadbent and Liz Ellis starting at goal defence and goal keep respectively.
The Canterbury Flames shooting combination of Belinda Colling, who wore a black armband to mark the death of her grandfather George Colling, and Te Huna rotated the circle well, providing the Ferns with a much different style to the holding game in which van Dyk is famous for.
Colling once again took a commanding role at goal attack and showed she would be a huge loss should she chose to retire.
Her partner, Charlie Hore, has taken up a rugby contract in Scotland and the pair will move there in a few weeks.
Colling is yet to discuss her future with Netball New Zealand. With the Silver Ferns' other world champion shooter, Tania Dalton, now pregnant, they may have to field a new shooting line-up when they meet Australia in November.
After allowing their rivals a run of seven unanswered goals and a 23-18 lead, the Silver Ferns were thrown into further turmoil just before halftime when captain Anna Rowberry landed awkwardly, appearing to have twisted her knee.
Rowberry was replaced by Temepara Clark, who immediately made her presence felt, flinging her body across the court and nabbing her first intercept of the game.
After a dismal shooting performance, Te Huna was replaced by van Dyk. Vilimaina Davu came on at goal keep, Joline Henry made her debut at goal defence and veteran Lesley Nicol came on at wing defence.
Desperate for a clean sweep in the series, the Silver Ferns stepped up a gear in the third quarter, securing five unanswered goals which took them within one of Australia.
In a frantic final few minutes little separated the two as the match went down to the wire.
It was only New Zealand's third series whitewash over Australia since 1938.
The New Zealand shooters landed 53 from 65 shots and Australia 46 from 60.
Netball: Ferns whitewash Australia after test fightback
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