Looking back at the greatest Australia v New Zealand netball matches

The rivalry between Australia and New Zealand is one of the most enduring battles in international sporting competition, but on the netball court this revered rivalry is taken to an all new level.

As the two best teams in the world - Australia ranked No 1 and New Zealand at No 2 - there is always pressure on the Diamonds and Silver Ferns when the Netball World Cup rolls around.

In the past two finals they’ve delivered, with Australia coming out on top. If anyone can stop the run, it’s New Zealand. The Silver Ferns are the last team to defeat the Diamonds, who are riding an incredible 19-game winning streak since their loss to the Kiwis in the first game of the 2013 Constellation Cup.

Before the 2015 Netball World Cup kicks off in Sydney this Friday, we take a look back at what has led to the fierce rivalry between the Diamonds and Silver Ferns.

2011 Netball World Cup Final

The last time Australia and New Zealand met at a Netball World Cup the battle was so intense that they could not determine a winner after regular time. Each side exchanged the lead throughout the game, but the Diamonds' Caitlin Bassett proved to be the real game changer. At just 23-years-old and with five Test caps to her name at the time - she now now has 46 caps — her 27/30 shooting after half-time was pivotal. A clutch goal in the final seconds of double overtime edged the Diamonds to a miraculous 58-57 win in Singapore and announced Bassett to the world stage as a premier Goal Shooter.

2013 Constellations Cup

The rivalry of New Zealand and Australia is exclusively recognised in the Constellation Cup, contested every year by the two nations and awarded to the team who wins the most matches in a series. In 2013 Australia were hungry to reclaim the Cup back after narrowly losing it to the Silver Ferns in 2012. Australia took a 2-1 lead before the fourth Test in Melbourne where they sealed the series with a 52-47 win. It’s been a tough road back for New Zealand since then, with Australia defending their title last year in a 4-0 series sweep. The two teams will meet again in the Constellations Cup series in October later this year.

2014 Commonwealth Games Final

In Glasgow the Diamonds were charged with the task of restoring pride in the green and gold netball uniform having lost the two previous Commonwealth Games finals to New Zealand. The match started in an unsurprisingly nail-biting fashion. The teams were tied at the first break, and at half time only four points separated them with the Kiwis, trailing 24-28. A blistering shooting effort from Caitlin Bassett (92 per cent accuracy) saw the Diamonds surge ahead in the third quarter and from there the Silver Ferns simply couldn’t play catch up. The Diamonds walked away with an emphatic 58-40 victory and the Commonwealth Games netball gold medal.

1999 Netball World Cup Final

The outstanding come-from-behind triumph by the Diamonds at the 1999 Netball World Cup was recognised last year by the Sport Australia Hall of Fame. In 1999 the Diamonds went undefeated, but they came very close to never achieving that feat. A big third quarter from the Silver Ferns had the Diamonds trailing by six goals going into the final quarter, however an inspiring fightback brought them back on level terms in the final minute. New Zealand heaped on the pressure, but a solid defence from Australia kept them out, and allowed Sharelle McMahon to score the game-winning goal and snatch the 47-46 win in the dying seconds.

2010 Commonwealth Games Final

The Diamonds were one of the favourites to win the 2010 gold medal in Delhi, alongside old their foe, New Zealand. The Kiwis had won the gold at the previous Games in Melbourne. Australia had their chances to seal victory, but couldn’t get the radar going. Led by sharp shooters Maria Tutaia and Irene van Dyk, New Zealand defeated Australia 66-64 in double overtime to secure the gold. Clocking in at 84 minutes, it was the longest ever official Commonwealth Games netball match.