Wilson wows as Thunderbirds set up finals showdown
The two-time reigning champions climbed into third place at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre on Saturday night, their finals fate firmly in their own hands with one round to play.
The result sets up a potential do-or-die clash next Saturday in Adelaide, with the Thunderbirds (7-6) and Sunshine Coast Lightning (7-6) set to square off in what looms as a mini-elimination final.
Meanwhile, the fifth-placed Melbourne Vixens (7-5) can book their place in the top four by beating either the last-placed Queensland Firebirds on Sunday or ladder leaders West Coast Fever next week in Perth.
If the Vixens lose both games, Adelaide's clash with the Lightning will become a battle for finals seeding.
Wilson was immense on Saturday, equalling the league record for intercepts in a game with nine - matching the mark set by Vixens defender Emily Mannix in 2019.
She racked up 12 gains and nine deflections in a brilliant individual display, lowering the colours of fellow Jamaican and Mavericks spearhead Shimona Jok.
"I can't take all the credit myself," Wilson said.
"My team did the work in front of me, which allowed me to fly.
"I feel like when I get one (intercept) I'm on the go and feel active to get more and more."
Melbourne made a promising enough start, leading 10-8 early, before being snowed under by a Wilson-led Adelaide avalanche.
The T'birds finished the opening term on a 9-2 burst before mauling the Mavs 16-7 in the second.
Wilson repeatedly beat Jok in the air, while wreaking havoc with her fast hands, racking up four intercepts for the quarter and six for the half to steer the Thunderbirds to a commanding 33-19 lead.
The visitors disintegrated in the second stanza, going 6-of-10 at goals, while conceding nine turnovers and 15 penalties.
"They (players) look fearful when they get the ball," Mavericks coach Tracey Neville told Fox Sports in the third quarter.
"At the end of the day that's not what we're about."
Her charges lifted admirably, with Tayla Fraser rejuvenated at wing attack and Jok burying 15 goals without a miss as Melbourne won the third term 17-14, frustrating Adelaide into cough-ups as Thunderbirds coach Tania Obst angrily hurled her notepad to the floor.
Uneeq Palavi subbed on in the fourth and buried three straight super shots to trim the margin to single digits, before her next attempt was athletically rejected by the rampant Wilson.
The Adelaide Thunderbirds' bid for a Super Netball three-peat is right on track after a Latanya Wilson defensive masterclass catapulted them to a 60-49 win over the Melbourne Mavericks.
The two-time reigning champions climbed into third place at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre on Saturday night, their finals fate firmly in their own hands with one round to play.
The result sets up a potential do-or-die clash next Saturday in Adelaide, with the Thunderbirds (7-6) and Sunshine Coast Lightning (7-6) set to square off in what looms as a mini-elimination final.
Meanwhile, the fifth-placed Melbourne Vixens (7-5) can book their place in the top four by beating either the last-placed Queensland Firebirds on Sunday or ladder leaders West Coast Fever next week in Perth.
If the Vixens lose both games, Adelaide's clash with the Lightning will become a battle for finals seeding.
Wilson was immense on Saturday, equalling the league record for intercepts in a game with nine - matching the mark set by Vixens defender Emily Mannix in 2019.
She racked up 12 gains and nine deflections in a brilliant individual display, lowering the colours of fellow Jamaican and Mavericks spearhead Shimona Jok.
"I can't take all the credit myself," Wilson said.
"My team did the work in front of me, which allowed me to fly.
"I feel like when I get one (intercept) I'm on the go and feel active to get more and more."
Melbourne made a promising enough start, leading 10-8 early, before being snowed under by a Wilson-led Adelaide avalanche.
The T'birds finished the opening term on a 9-2 burst before mauling the Mavs 16-7 in the second.
Wilson repeatedly beat Jok in the air, while wreaking havoc with her fast hands, racking up four intercepts for the quarter and six for the half to steer the Thunderbirds to a commanding 33-19 lead.
The visitors disintegrated in the second stanza, going 6-of-10 at goals, while conceding nine turnovers and 15 penalties.
"They (players) look fearful when they get the ball," Mavericks coach Tracey Neville told Fox Sports in the third quarter.
"At the end of the day that's not what we're about."
Her charges lifted admirably, with Tayla Fraser rejuvenated at wing attack and Jok burying 15 goals without a miss as Melbourne won the third term 17-14, frustrating Adelaide into cough-ups as Thunderbirds coach Tania Obst angrily hurled her notepad to the floor.
Uneeq Palavi subbed on in the fourth and buried three straight super shots to trim the margin to single digits, before her next attempt was athletically rejected by the rampant Wilson.
The Adelaide Thunderbirds' bid for a Super Netball three-peat is right on track after a Latanya Wilson defensive masterclass catapulted them to a 60-49 win over the Melbourne Mavericks.
The two-time reigning champions climbed into third place at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre on Saturday night, their finals fate firmly in their own hands with one round to play.
The result sets up a potential do-or-die clash next Saturday in Adelaide, with the Thunderbirds (7-6) and Sunshine Coast Lightning (7-6) set to square off in what looms as a mini-elimination final.
Meanwhile, the fifth-placed Melbourne Vixens (7-5) can book their place in the top four by beating either the last-placed Queensland Firebirds on Sunday or ladder leaders West Coast Fever next week in Perth.
If the Vixens lose both games, Adelaide's clash with the Lightning will become a battle for finals seeding.
Wilson was immense on Saturday, equalling the league record for intercepts in a game with nine - matching the mark set by Vixens defender Emily Mannix in 2019.
She racked up 12 gains and nine deflections in a brilliant individual display, lowering the colours of fellow Jamaican and Mavericks spearhead Shimona Jok.
"I can't take all the credit myself," Wilson said.
"My team did the work in front of me, which allowed me to fly.
"I feel like when I get one (intercept) I'm on the go and feel active to get more and more."
Melbourne made a promising enough start, leading 10-8 early, before being snowed under by a Wilson-led Adelaide avalanche.
The T'birds finished the opening term on a 9-2 burst before mauling the Mavs 16-7 in the second.
Wilson repeatedly beat Jok in the air, while wreaking havoc with her fast hands, racking up four intercepts for the quarter and six for the half to steer the Thunderbirds to a commanding 33-19 lead.
The visitors disintegrated in the second stanza, going 6-of-10 at goals, while conceding nine turnovers and 15 penalties.
"They (players) look fearful when they get the ball," Mavericks coach Tracey Neville told Fox Sports in the third quarter.
"At the end of the day that's not what we're about."
Her charges lifted admirably, with Tayla Fraser rejuvenated at wing attack and Jok burying 15 goals without a miss as Melbourne won the third term 17-14, frustrating Adelaide into cough-ups as Thunderbirds coach Tania Obst angrily hurled her notepad to the floor.
Uneeq Palavi subbed on in the fourth and buried three straight super shots to trim the margin to single digits, before her next attempt was athletically rejected by the rampant Wilson.
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The Advertiser
5 hours ago
- The Advertiser
White goes out a winner as record crowd turn out for Wallabies in Newcastle
WALLABIES halfback Nic White owes Harry Wilson a beer. So do Hunter rugby fans. It took a last-minute try from the skipper to ensure home-town hero White was given a fond farewell in Newcastle as the Wallabies edged Fiji 21-18 in front of a record crowd at McDonald Jones Stadium on Sunday. White was on Wilson's heels when the No.8 twisted, then reached out and got the ball down under a stack of Fijian forwards. Many of White's family and friends were among the 28,132 that turned Turton Road into a sea of gold for the nippy's No.9's final Test on home soil. But it looked like White - and the supporters - would depart disappointed, with Fiji ahead 18-14 with two minutes remaining. "I was pretty relieved and stoked for Harry to get over," White said. "It was a nice moment. I said in the lead-up that I would be job focused and not too emotional. I was a little bit [emotional] at the end. It was great to get a result here at home." The Wallabies had tried - mainly unsuccessfully - to play an expansive game. With the result on the line and time almost up, they went to old school. From a lineout, they pounded away one-out at the Fiji line. Eventually, Wilson did enough, punching a hole through the defence and reaching out to score. Ben Donaldson converted to complete the great escape. The Wallabies had led 14-0 after 30 minutes and had two tries pulled back for forward passes. The win was the Wallabies' first in three Tests in Newcastle. They went down 9-6 to Scotland in atrocious conditions in front of 20,088 in 2012. In 2020, a full house of 11,749 - COVID restrictions halved the ground's capacity - were on hand for the 15-all draw with Argentina. White started at halfback against Argentina and was in the squad but didn't play against the Scots. The Scone borm Maitland Blacks product is not about to retire, but at 35, it was likely to be his last Test in Newcastle. "It was an awesome crowd," White said. "Fiji were unreal. They put us under pressure. We put ourselves under pressure. They are a good side and we had to find a way to win at the end. I'm proud that we found the resolve to get a result. "The crowd really helped us at the end. It really lifted and we needed it." White replaced Tate McDermott with 23 minutes to go for his 72nd Test cap. He kicked intelligently and drove the forwards around the park. "I'm happy for Nic," Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt said. "We got what we expected from him. He made a couple of cracking tackles. There were some big blokes coming down that left touchline and he did well. "He zinged the ball around. He put that ball [kick] into the corner. He didn't quite get the bounce but he saw the space. Those are the things Whitey does. He has a three dimensional eye on the game. You don't just get side-to-side. He is looking upfield, he is looking for opportunities." The Wallabies, playing their first Test of the season, let the ball sing from the opening whistle. Hooker David Porecki, playing his first Test in 652 days after Achilles and calf injuries, was given a ferocious welcome back courtesy of a thunderous hit from Fiji lock Isoa Nasilasila. Porecki dusted himself off and five minutes later he put the Wallabies ahead from a driving maul. Noah Lolesio added the extras for 7-0. Fiji's strength is their unpredictability but it means high-risk rugby. In the opening 20 minutes it also meant a lot of dropped passes. The Wallabies were also sloppy. They missed two lineouts, failed to find touch from a penalty and rarely strung more than five phases together. Porecki's Test was over in 27th minute after he suffered a head knock and failed the subsequent HIA. MORE HERALD SPORT The passes finally stuck for the Wallabies two minutes before the break. Lock Jeremy Williams put a dent in the line with a strong surge. The ball went quickly to the left for Joseph Suaalii to hold up a pass for Fraser McReight to slide over. However, the Wallabies undid the good work on the stroke of half-time. A Lolesio chip kick was easily collected by Fiji. They pushed the go button. Jiuta Wainiqolo made a bust down the left touchline, stepped inside and then lobbed a pass over the top for fullback Salesi Rayasi to power over for his first Test try and 14-5 at the break. Suaalii, bar the try assist, had limited opportunities in the opening 45 minutes. The message would have been loud and clear from Schmidt - play direct, hang on to the ball and build pressure. Fiji didn't change their approach. The Wallabies had a second try called back for a forward pass in the 48th minute after Max Jorgensen had regathered a kick ahead. It took the officials a handful of minutes and a dozen replays to make the call. Fiji cut the margin to 14-8 through a Caleb Muntz penalty in the 50th minute. Four minutes later they were ahead after a spectacular try to Lekima Tagitagivalu. Wainiqolo picked up a loose pass and went on a mazy run, beating five tackles in a 50-metre solo effort before offloading to Tagitagivalu. Munz converted from the sideline to put Fiji ahead 15-14. Fiji thought they had increased the lead in the 60th minute when replacement Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula stepped inside and dived over. However, the Wallabies were ruled to have put a foot into touch in the lead-up before Fiji forced a turnover. Lolesio was replaced with a concussion from whiplash when caught awkwardly making a tackle. The visitors were full of running and increased the gap to 18-14 through another Munz penalty. WALLABIES halfback Nic White owes Harry Wilson a beer. So do Hunter rugby fans. It took a last-minute try from the skipper to ensure home-town hero White was given a fond farewell in Newcastle as the Wallabies edged Fiji 21-18 in front of a record crowd at McDonald Jones Stadium on Sunday. White was on Wilson's heels when the No.8 twisted, then reached out and got the ball down under a stack of Fijian forwards. Many of White's family and friends were among the 28,132 that turned Turton Road into a sea of gold for the nippy's No.9's final Test on home soil. But it looked like White - and the supporters - would depart disappointed, with Fiji ahead 18-14 with two minutes remaining. "I was pretty relieved and stoked for Harry to get over," White said. "It was a nice moment. I said in the lead-up that I would be job focused and not too emotional. I was a little bit [emotional] at the end. It was great to get a result here at home." The Wallabies had tried - mainly unsuccessfully - to play an expansive game. With the result on the line and time almost up, they went to old school. From a lineout, they pounded away one-out at the Fiji line. Eventually, Wilson did enough, punching a hole through the defence and reaching out to score. Ben Donaldson converted to complete the great escape. The Wallabies had led 14-0 after 30 minutes and had two tries pulled back for forward passes. The win was the Wallabies' first in three Tests in Newcastle. They went down 9-6 to Scotland in atrocious conditions in front of 20,088 in 2012. In 2020, a full house of 11,749 - COVID restrictions halved the ground's capacity - were on hand for the 15-all draw with Argentina. White started at halfback against Argentina and was in the squad but didn't play against the Scots. The Scone borm Maitland Blacks product is not about to retire, but at 35, it was likely to be his last Test in Newcastle. "It was an awesome crowd," White said. "Fiji were unreal. They put us under pressure. We put ourselves under pressure. They are a good side and we had to find a way to win at the end. I'm proud that we found the resolve to get a result. "The crowd really helped us at the end. It really lifted and we needed it." White replaced Tate McDermott with 23 minutes to go for his 72nd Test cap. He kicked intelligently and drove the forwards around the park. "I'm happy for Nic," Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt said. "We got what we expected from him. He made a couple of cracking tackles. There were some big blokes coming down that left touchline and he did well. "He zinged the ball around. He put that ball [kick] into the corner. He didn't quite get the bounce but he saw the space. Those are the things Whitey does. He has a three dimensional eye on the game. You don't just get side-to-side. He is looking upfield, he is looking for opportunities." The Wallabies, playing their first Test of the season, let the ball sing from the opening whistle. Hooker David Porecki, playing his first Test in 652 days after Achilles and calf injuries, was given a ferocious welcome back courtesy of a thunderous hit from Fiji lock Isoa Nasilasila. Porecki dusted himself off and five minutes later he put the Wallabies ahead from a driving maul. Noah Lolesio added the extras for 7-0. Fiji's strength is their unpredictability but it means high-risk rugby. In the opening 20 minutes it also meant a lot of dropped passes. The Wallabies were also sloppy. They missed two lineouts, failed to find touch from a penalty and rarely strung more than five phases together. Porecki's Test was over in 27th minute after he suffered a head knock and failed the subsequent HIA. MORE HERALD SPORT The passes finally stuck for the Wallabies two minutes before the break. Lock Jeremy Williams put a dent in the line with a strong surge. The ball went quickly to the left for Joseph Suaalii to hold up a pass for Fraser McReight to slide over. However, the Wallabies undid the good work on the stroke of half-time. A Lolesio chip kick was easily collected by Fiji. They pushed the go button. Jiuta Wainiqolo made a bust down the left touchline, stepped inside and then lobbed a pass over the top for fullback Salesi Rayasi to power over for his first Test try and 14-5 at the break. Suaalii, bar the try assist, had limited opportunities in the opening 45 minutes. The message would have been loud and clear from Schmidt - play direct, hang on to the ball and build pressure. Fiji didn't change their approach. The Wallabies had a second try called back for a forward pass in the 48th minute after Max Jorgensen had regathered a kick ahead. It took the officials a handful of minutes and a dozen replays to make the call. Fiji cut the margin to 14-8 through a Caleb Muntz penalty in the 50th minute. Four minutes later they were ahead after a spectacular try to Lekima Tagitagivalu. Wainiqolo picked up a loose pass and went on a mazy run, beating five tackles in a 50-metre solo effort before offloading to Tagitagivalu. Munz converted from the sideline to put Fiji ahead 15-14. Fiji thought they had increased the lead in the 60th minute when replacement Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula stepped inside and dived over. However, the Wallabies were ruled to have put a foot into touch in the lead-up before Fiji forced a turnover. Lolesio was replaced with a concussion from whiplash when caught awkwardly making a tackle. The visitors were full of running and increased the gap to 18-14 through another Munz penalty. WALLABIES halfback Nic White owes Harry Wilson a beer. So do Hunter rugby fans. It took a last-minute try from the skipper to ensure home-town hero White was given a fond farewell in Newcastle as the Wallabies edged Fiji 21-18 in front of a record crowd at McDonald Jones Stadium on Sunday. White was on Wilson's heels when the No.8 twisted, then reached out and got the ball down under a stack of Fijian forwards. Many of White's family and friends were among the 28,132 that turned Turton Road into a sea of gold for the nippy's No.9's final Test on home soil. But it looked like White - and the supporters - would depart disappointed, with Fiji ahead 18-14 with two minutes remaining. "I was pretty relieved and stoked for Harry to get over," White said. "It was a nice moment. I said in the lead-up that I would be job focused and not too emotional. I was a little bit [emotional] at the end. It was great to get a result here at home." The Wallabies had tried - mainly unsuccessfully - to play an expansive game. With the result on the line and time almost up, they went to old school. From a lineout, they pounded away one-out at the Fiji line. Eventually, Wilson did enough, punching a hole through the defence and reaching out to score. Ben Donaldson converted to complete the great escape. The Wallabies had led 14-0 after 30 minutes and had two tries pulled back for forward passes. The win was the Wallabies' first in three Tests in Newcastle. They went down 9-6 to Scotland in atrocious conditions in front of 20,088 in 2012. In 2020, a full house of 11,749 - COVID restrictions halved the ground's capacity - were on hand for the 15-all draw with Argentina. White started at halfback against Argentina and was in the squad but didn't play against the Scots. The Scone borm Maitland Blacks product is not about to retire, but at 35, it was likely to be his last Test in Newcastle. "It was an awesome crowd," White said. "Fiji were unreal. They put us under pressure. We put ourselves under pressure. They are a good side and we had to find a way to win at the end. I'm proud that we found the resolve to get a result. "The crowd really helped us at the end. It really lifted and we needed it." White replaced Tate McDermott with 23 minutes to go for his 72nd Test cap. He kicked intelligently and drove the forwards around the park. "I'm happy for Nic," Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt said. "We got what we expected from him. He made a couple of cracking tackles. There were some big blokes coming down that left touchline and he did well. "He zinged the ball around. He put that ball [kick] into the corner. He didn't quite get the bounce but he saw the space. Those are the things Whitey does. He has a three dimensional eye on the game. You don't just get side-to-side. He is looking upfield, he is looking for opportunities." The Wallabies, playing their first Test of the season, let the ball sing from the opening whistle. Hooker David Porecki, playing his first Test in 652 days after Achilles and calf injuries, was given a ferocious welcome back courtesy of a thunderous hit from Fiji lock Isoa Nasilasila. Porecki dusted himself off and five minutes later he put the Wallabies ahead from a driving maul. Noah Lolesio added the extras for 7-0. Fiji's strength is their unpredictability but it means high-risk rugby. In the opening 20 minutes it also meant a lot of dropped passes. The Wallabies were also sloppy. They missed two lineouts, failed to find touch from a penalty and rarely strung more than five phases together. Porecki's Test was over in 27th minute after he suffered a head knock and failed the subsequent HIA. MORE HERALD SPORT The passes finally stuck for the Wallabies two minutes before the break. Lock Jeremy Williams put a dent in the line with a strong surge. The ball went quickly to the left for Joseph Suaalii to hold up a pass for Fraser McReight to slide over. However, the Wallabies undid the good work on the stroke of half-time. A Lolesio chip kick was easily collected by Fiji. They pushed the go button. Jiuta Wainiqolo made a bust down the left touchline, stepped inside and then lobbed a pass over the top for fullback Salesi Rayasi to power over for his first Test try and 14-5 at the break. Suaalii, bar the try assist, had limited opportunities in the opening 45 minutes. The message would have been loud and clear from Schmidt - play direct, hang on to the ball and build pressure. Fiji didn't change their approach. The Wallabies had a second try called back for a forward pass in the 48th minute after Max Jorgensen had regathered a kick ahead. It took the officials a handful of minutes and a dozen replays to make the call. Fiji cut the margin to 14-8 through a Caleb Muntz penalty in the 50th minute. Four minutes later they were ahead after a spectacular try to Lekima Tagitagivalu. Wainiqolo picked up a loose pass and went on a mazy run, beating five tackles in a 50-metre solo effort before offloading to Tagitagivalu. Munz converted from the sideline to put Fiji ahead 15-14. Fiji thought they had increased the lead in the 60th minute when replacement Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula stepped inside and dived over. However, the Wallabies were ruled to have put a foot into touch in the lead-up before Fiji forced a turnover. Lolesio was replaced with a concussion from whiplash when caught awkwardly making a tackle. The visitors were full of running and increased the gap to 18-14 through another Munz penalty. WALLABIES halfback Nic White owes Harry Wilson a beer. So do Hunter rugby fans. It took a last-minute try from the skipper to ensure home-town hero White was given a fond farewell in Newcastle as the Wallabies edged Fiji 21-18 in front of a record crowd at McDonald Jones Stadium on Sunday. White was on Wilson's heels when the No.8 twisted, then reached out and got the ball down under a stack of Fijian forwards. Many of White's family and friends were among the 28,132 that turned Turton Road into a sea of gold for the nippy's No.9's final Test on home soil. But it looked like White - and the supporters - would depart disappointed, with Fiji ahead 18-14 with two minutes remaining. "I was pretty relieved and stoked for Harry to get over," White said. "It was a nice moment. I said in the lead-up that I would be job focused and not too emotional. I was a little bit [emotional] at the end. It was great to get a result here at home." The Wallabies had tried - mainly unsuccessfully - to play an expansive game. With the result on the line and time almost up, they went to old school. From a lineout, they pounded away one-out at the Fiji line. Eventually, Wilson did enough, punching a hole through the defence and reaching out to score. Ben Donaldson converted to complete the great escape. The Wallabies had led 14-0 after 30 minutes and had two tries pulled back for forward passes. The win was the Wallabies' first in three Tests in Newcastle. They went down 9-6 to Scotland in atrocious conditions in front of 20,088 in 2012. In 2020, a full house of 11,749 - COVID restrictions halved the ground's capacity - were on hand for the 15-all draw with Argentina. White started at halfback against Argentina and was in the squad but didn't play against the Scots. The Scone borm Maitland Blacks product is not about to retire, but at 35, it was likely to be his last Test in Newcastle. "It was an awesome crowd," White said. "Fiji were unreal. They put us under pressure. We put ourselves under pressure. They are a good side and we had to find a way to win at the end. I'm proud that we found the resolve to get a result. "The crowd really helped us at the end. It really lifted and we needed it." White replaced Tate McDermott with 23 minutes to go for his 72nd Test cap. He kicked intelligently and drove the forwards around the park. "I'm happy for Nic," Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt said. "We got what we expected from him. He made a couple of cracking tackles. There were some big blokes coming down that left touchline and he did well. "He zinged the ball around. He put that ball [kick] into the corner. He didn't quite get the bounce but he saw the space. Those are the things Whitey does. He has a three dimensional eye on the game. You don't just get side-to-side. He is looking upfield, he is looking for opportunities." The Wallabies, playing their first Test of the season, let the ball sing from the opening whistle. Hooker David Porecki, playing his first Test in 652 days after Achilles and calf injuries, was given a ferocious welcome back courtesy of a thunderous hit from Fiji lock Isoa Nasilasila. Porecki dusted himself off and five minutes later he put the Wallabies ahead from a driving maul. Noah Lolesio added the extras for 7-0. Fiji's strength is their unpredictability but it means high-risk rugby. In the opening 20 minutes it also meant a lot of dropped passes. The Wallabies were also sloppy. They missed two lineouts, failed to find touch from a penalty and rarely strung more than five phases together. Porecki's Test was over in 27th minute after he suffered a head knock and failed the subsequent HIA. MORE HERALD SPORT The passes finally stuck for the Wallabies two minutes before the break. Lock Jeremy Williams put a dent in the line with a strong surge. The ball went quickly to the left for Joseph Suaalii to hold up a pass for Fraser McReight to slide over. However, the Wallabies undid the good work on the stroke of half-time. A Lolesio chip kick was easily collected by Fiji. They pushed the go button. Jiuta Wainiqolo made a bust down the left touchline, stepped inside and then lobbed a pass over the top for fullback Salesi Rayasi to power over for his first Test try and 14-5 at the break. Suaalii, bar the try assist, had limited opportunities in the opening 45 minutes. The message would have been loud and clear from Schmidt - play direct, hang on to the ball and build pressure. Fiji didn't change their approach. The Wallabies had a second try called back for a forward pass in the 48th minute after Max Jorgensen had regathered a kick ahead. It took the officials a handful of minutes and a dozen replays to make the call. Fiji cut the margin to 14-8 through a Caleb Muntz penalty in the 50th minute. Four minutes later they were ahead after a spectacular try to Lekima Tagitagivalu. Wainiqolo picked up a loose pass and went on a mazy run, beating five tackles in a 50-metre solo effort before offloading to Tagitagivalu. Munz converted from the sideline to put Fiji ahead 15-14. Fiji thought they had increased the lead in the 60th minute when replacement Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula stepped inside and dived over. However, the Wallabies were ruled to have put a foot into touch in the lead-up before Fiji forced a turnover. Lolesio was replaced with a concussion from whiplash when caught awkwardly making a tackle. The visitors were full of running and increased the gap to 18-14 through another Munz penalty.
The Advertiser
5 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Record-setting Fever topple Giants to secure top spot
West Coast Fever have set a new record winning streak and secured their maiden Super Netball minor premiership with a 73-56 triumph over the Giants. Unbeaten since round two, the Fever became the first team in competition history to claim 11 consecutive victories at RAC Arena on Sunday. They have lost just twice all season and will head into the finals as hot premiership favourites with home-court advantage. The achievement follows consecutive one-goal preliminary final heartbreaks for the Fever since their breakthrough title three years ago. But goal defence Sunday Aryang noted the job wasn't finished yet, with a premiership there for the taking. "I think we'll probably sit in it until after this game," Aryang told Fox Sports when asked about the Fever's first minor premiership. "Then we'll probably go back to focusing on the next game and just staying locked in for that as well." West Coast, who led 37-33 after a tight first half, put a match-winning gap on the Giants with a dominant 20-11 third term and won every quarter. Fever goal shooter Jhaniele Fowler-Nembhard was in fine form, nailing 63 of 66 attempts. Aryang had three intercepts, four deflections and four defensive rebounds in her best performance of the season. "The previous game was a bit of a grind, shutting down the goal attack, whereas this game I could have a look a bit more and just go flying for the ball, which was nice," Aryang said. West Coast host the finals-bound Melbourne Vixens in the last round of the regular season next Sunday, while the Giants face the Melbourne Mavericks in a dead rubber. West Coast Fever have set a new record winning streak and secured their maiden Super Netball minor premiership with a 73-56 triumph over the Giants. Unbeaten since round two, the Fever became the first team in competition history to claim 11 consecutive victories at RAC Arena on Sunday. They have lost just twice all season and will head into the finals as hot premiership favourites with home-court advantage. The achievement follows consecutive one-goal preliminary final heartbreaks for the Fever since their breakthrough title three years ago. But goal defence Sunday Aryang noted the job wasn't finished yet, with a premiership there for the taking. "I think we'll probably sit in it until after this game," Aryang told Fox Sports when asked about the Fever's first minor premiership. "Then we'll probably go back to focusing on the next game and just staying locked in for that as well." West Coast, who led 37-33 after a tight first half, put a match-winning gap on the Giants with a dominant 20-11 third term and won every quarter. Fever goal shooter Jhaniele Fowler-Nembhard was in fine form, nailing 63 of 66 attempts. Aryang had three intercepts, four deflections and four defensive rebounds in her best performance of the season. "The previous game was a bit of a grind, shutting down the goal attack, whereas this game I could have a look a bit more and just go flying for the ball, which was nice," Aryang said. West Coast host the finals-bound Melbourne Vixens in the last round of the regular season next Sunday, while the Giants face the Melbourne Mavericks in a dead rubber. West Coast Fever have set a new record winning streak and secured their maiden Super Netball minor premiership with a 73-56 triumph over the Giants. Unbeaten since round two, the Fever became the first team in competition history to claim 11 consecutive victories at RAC Arena on Sunday. They have lost just twice all season and will head into the finals as hot premiership favourites with home-court advantage. The achievement follows consecutive one-goal preliminary final heartbreaks for the Fever since their breakthrough title three years ago. But goal defence Sunday Aryang noted the job wasn't finished yet, with a premiership there for the taking. "I think we'll probably sit in it until after this game," Aryang told Fox Sports when asked about the Fever's first minor premiership. "Then we'll probably go back to focusing on the next game and just staying locked in for that as well." West Coast, who led 37-33 after a tight first half, put a match-winning gap on the Giants with a dominant 20-11 third term and won every quarter. Fever goal shooter Jhaniele Fowler-Nembhard was in fine form, nailing 63 of 66 attempts. Aryang had three intercepts, four deflections and four defensive rebounds in her best performance of the season. "The previous game was a bit of a grind, shutting down the goal attack, whereas this game I could have a look a bit more and just go flying for the ball, which was nice," Aryang said. West Coast host the finals-bound Melbourne Vixens in the last round of the regular season next Sunday, while the Giants face the Melbourne Mavericks in a dead rubber.
News.com.au
6 hours ago
- News.com.au
Super Netball: Vixens seal finals spot in two-point thriller against the Firebirds
The Melbourne Vixens have survived a nail biting final-quarter push from the competition wooden spooners to seal their place in the Super Netball finals. Outstanding long-range shooting from the Queensland Firebirds in the final super shot period allowed the visitors to claw their way within one point with just a minute left in the match but the Vixens weathered the storm to clinch a 64-62 win that sealed them third place heading into the final fixture and a guaranteed place in the finals. In what could have been Simone McKinnis's final match coaching at John Cain Arena - hosting rights for the minor semi-final will be decided in the final round of fixtures - the Vixens raced to a five-goal lead after the first quarter in a performance that seemed to set the tone for a comfortable win. The Queenslanders were unable to move from the bottom of the ladder but had plenty to play for, with just four players so far contracted for next season and were determined to be disruptors. They turned the match on its head in a 19-13 second term that handed them a one-point halftime lead and the promise of a grinding match. The Vixens rebounded again in the third but the game tightened up again when Emily Moore and Abigail Latu-Meafou slotted a combined three super shots in the final term, with the Vixens just getting over the line. 'It was a massive result for us and probably a much better result than how we handled the game last week,' Vixens goaler Kiera Austin said of her side being swamped by the Adelaide Thunderbirds in the final term last week. 'Massive credit to the Firebirds, they came out firing but it was great practice for us to work the ball around in the end and come away with the win.' DOING IT FOR SIMONE McKinnis announced weeks ago she will step down from coaching the club at the end of the season and would prefer there's little fuss around her tenure coming to an end. But the two-time premiership coach admitted there had been nerves and emotion when she arrived at John Cain Arena for what may have been her last game in charge at the venue. 'Surprisingly, I didn't know there was but when I arrived today, there was,' McKinnis said of the emotion that flooded her arriving at a match she knew her family and friends had gathered to watch. 'In the game not so much because I was just like, get the job done.' Vixens captain Kate Moloney said it was important to win not just for the team but for their coach. 'Simone doesn't like us talking about it too much but it is really important for us - it's important for us as a team to win, we want to be the best team we can,' Moloney said. 'And on a side note to that is we want to send Simone off on the best note we can. She's given so much to our club and hopefully we can keep the winning going.' CRUCIAL VIXENS WIN Wins to both the Lightning and Thunderbirds on Saturday put the defending premiers and Sunshine Coast side level on points with the Vixens, who needed to beat the Firebirds to lock up a finals spot. With the Thunderbirds and Lightning playing each other in the final round, one will knock the other out but the Vixens could still lose third place - and hosting rights in the minor semi-final - unless they are able to upset competition favourites West Coast Fever in Perth in the final round. 'It's a massive game for us and really good prep for us to go into finals,' Austin said of the clash. 'Exciting that that solidified us heading into finals but for us, building on that confidence, trusting each other, letting the ball go, you want to start going on that climb now and I think the girls are putting in some really good efforts, so just keep working along.' BIRDIES GALLANT IN DEFEAT The Firebirds extended their unenviable club record run of losses to 11 in a row but there were again promising signs. Macy Gardner one of just four players signed for next season, was among their best, with 11 goal assists, 20 feeds and two gains in her 50th Super Netball match. Captain and defender Ruby Bakewell-Doran and imports, defensive midcourter Imogen Allison and shooter Mary Cholhok are the other players whose futures are guaranteed for 2026, while goal attacks Latu-Meafou and Moore did their best in an effort to prove their worth for new contracts. The Firebirds round out the season with a home match against the NSW Swifts on Sunday.
