NZ U21 WYNC - Winners are grinners

Photo courtesy of NNZ Facebook page

Last Saturday, the NZ U21 team defeated the Australian U21 team to claim the WYNC title, in Scotland. A huge achievement by our girls to hold their nerve throughout the game and represent our country on the world stage.

After Silver Fern wing defense Kayla Cullen suffered a season ending knee injury virtually just as the girls arrived in Scotland, many didn't give the team much of an opportunity to claim the title back from Australia. 

With the Aussies boasting more ANZ Championship capped players it seemed as though they may have the wood over our girls. It was not the case.

Our young Silver Ferns played a smart and no fuss game of Netball giving them the edge over Australia. The defensive duo of Zoe Walker and Phoenix Karaka were sublime and with the trademark NZ style zone defense being applied they reaped the rewards and shut down the Aussie shooting pair of Kristina Brice and and Cody Lange.

Southern Steel squad member Te Paea Selby-Rickitt was joined in the goal circle by Mystics squad member Malia Paseka, they combination grew as the game went on with some fantastic long range goals from both girls helping grow the teams confidence and gave a real boost and mental edge.

For Australia the changes made were slightly baffling to a few die hard supporters and with 5 mins to go finally a change was made in the goal circle with Gretel Tippet brought on alongside Lange. 

It is a fantastic platform for many of our young up and coming players to get valuable experience at the highest level as well as enduring the pressure and intensity that any game against Australia brings.

Well done to our girls on doing us proud it was a marvelous effort by all involved throughout the competition.

For a link to the stream of the final click here. Please note that there is no sound due to a copyright infringement but from all accounts there wasn't a lot of commentary throughout.

Enjoy!