Opals thump NZ by 41, clinch Trans-Tasman series

Steve Barrett |

Australia have sealed their series against New Zealand, with Maddison Rocci a key contributor.
Australia have sealed their series against New Zealand, with Maddison Rocci a key contributor.

The Opals have sealed the inaugural Trans-Tasman Throwdown by trouncing New Zealand 98-57 on the Sunshine Coast.

Australia set up their crushing victory in front of a sellout crowd of 3217 at UniSC Arena on Friday night by hammering the Tall Ferns 29-10 and 28-15 in the opening two quarters.

All 12 Opals hit the scoreboard, led by Townsville Fire forward Alex Fowler (15 points), Perth Lynx guard Miela Sowah (15) and Southside Flyers star Maddison Rocci (13).

Captain Steph Reid and Courtney Woods chalked up four steals apiece, while three others – Rocci, Issy Borlase and Abbey Ellis – had three steals in a dominant defensive display.

The only negative for the Aussies was a left shoulder injury to Ellis, who was forced to exit the contest in the second quarter before sitting on the bench for the rest of the match with her AC joint taped.

Isobel Borlase.
Isobel Borlase was instrumental in a strong defensive display by Australia. (Jono Searle/AAP PHOTOS)

Sharne Robati (14 points) and skipper Esra McGoldrick (11) led the way for the Kiwis, who came undone by surrendering a whopping 26 turnovers.

From a modest 9-8 lead, the Opals effectively ended the contest by going on a 16-0 spree to gallop ahead 25-8.

The Tall Ferns were utterly uncompetitive from the get-go, out-rebounded 16-6 in the opening term and coughing up eight turnovers.

NZ committed another eight second-quarter cough-ups to have a staggering 16 turnovers at half-time as Australia strengthened their grip on the contest to hold sway 57-25.

Rocci was giving the Tall Ferns headaches at both ends, while Sowah and Borlase continued to provide punch off the bench.

The third quarter started in a similar vein, with NZ conceding two sloppy turnovers in the first 23 seconds.

They raised their game to show some belated fight, with McGoldrick spearheading a 9-0 burst to help them win the quarter 21-18.

Australia responded impressively, starting the fourth term with a 10-2 run to outscore NZ 23-11 for the period.

The Opals, who won the opening game in Adelaide by 18 points, hold an unassailable 2-0 lead in the first bilateral series between the nations since 2015.

Game three takes place at Hamilton, New Zealand, on Sunday.

AAP