All the action as the Silver Ferns aim to lift the Constellation Cup for the first time since 2012.
Lisa Alexander admits she's been plotting Silver Ferns shooter Maria Folau's downfall her entire coaching career.
All the action as the Silver Ferns aim to lift the Constellation Cup for the first time since 2012.
Lisa Alexander admits she's been plotting Silver Ferns shooter Maria Folau's downfall her entire coaching career.
And as made clear again during the Silver Ferns' 54-53 win over the Diamonds on Sunday, the Australian coach still hasn't figured out how.
Folau was at the helm of the Ferns' success in the third test of the Constellation Cup in Sydney, slotting 27 goals from 31 attempts at 87 per cent.
Speaking to media after the clash, Alexander acknowledged Folau's success in the goal shooter bib, revealing she was still trying to find a way to shut-down the 32-year-old veteran.
"I've had to coach against her for the past eight years and try and plot her downfall," Alexander said. "She's actually really hard to plot the downfall on now because she plays a role and is really disciplined with it.
"I think Maria has done extremely well to play the role now that she's playing in shooter, I'm actually admiring that."
Pointing out that Silver Ferns goal attack Ameliaranne Ekenasio had likewise become a "point of difference" for the world champion New Zealand side, Alexander said the Diamonds had some defensive work to do should they wish to retain the Constellation Cup.
"I'm actually really proud of [Ameliaranne] in a funny way, but I don't like her beating us either," Alexander, who has coached the Diamonds for 101 tests, said.
"We've got some work to do in the defence end. I can't go into too much detail but we've got the two Swifts players that are there who play a really good split circle, we might need to trial that and give Maddy [Turner] an opportunity at some stage."
Already having proved to be unfazed by the Australian home crowds, the Ferns look as confident as ever to claim the cup for the first time in seven years.
The Ferns have to win the fourth game in order to take the series though. If they don't, the cup will be decided by goal difference, in which Australia holds the advantage from their decisive win in Auckland.
The Australian coach says the influx of international players is hindering the Diamonds.