The Australian men stormed to a huge 84-34 victory against the new-look Net Blacks with Kelpies’ goal shooter Jerome Gillbard setting the platform for the big win.
Fast-paced action interspersed with incredible aerial skills was a feature from the opening whistle from the visitors in the first Trans-Tasman Cup test between the ascendant Australian men’s side and their New Zealand counterparts.
Australia, this season coached by GIANTS coaches Nerida Stewart and Julie Fitzgerald, had dominated the recent rivalry after winning eight of the past nine meetings. The Kelpies were again tipped to be a force after taking a clean sweep over the Net Blacks in last year’s three-test series.
New Zealand’s starting seven had a fresh-faced look with goal shoot legend Junior Levi leaving big shoes to fill for the series. Coming in to take the starting goal shoot bib in black was Mikaera Raerino.
He combined smoothly with goal attack Thomson Matuku in a combination which looks to have plenty of potential for the future.
Also worthy of a mention was Net Blacks captain Kruze Tangira who was back in the national men’s side in the midcourt wearing the captain’s arm band.
The Net Blacks competed strongly in the high-octane opening phases of the first quarter with goal shooter Raerino working to bring New Zealand goal attack Thomson Matuku into the action.
Also showing impressive touches for the Net Blacks was defender Liam Dalton who pulled off a superb aerial intercept early in the match. He continued to tussle all match with his opponent Riley Richardson.
Punishing along the baseline, the exquisite Aussie shooting duo of Jerome Gillbard and speedster Brodie Roberts found plenty of space in the goal circle.
The Kelpies displayed the superior links though court to take a 19-10 lead into the first break.
The start of the second quarter saw the Kelpies extend their dominance with smothering defence and superb transition play to the circle edge.
The Net Blacks were held scoreless for the opening five minutes of the second quarter. The pattern continued the with Kelpies extending the margin out to a massive 40-17 half-time lead
After holding New Zealand to nine goals in the third quarter, the flawless Kelpies led by 61-26 heading into the final stanza.
Despite the rout, Net Blacks defenders Timothy Apisai and Dylan Bartels fought tirelessly but were hit by a high penalty count.
Australian centre Liam Forcadilla shouldered the load in the Kelpies attack as he racked up 24 goal assists for the match. Sharp shooter Jerome Gillbard shot 23 goals from 26 attempts, while his replacement Liam Killey was superb with 29 from 30 attempts.
It will be back to the drawing board for the Net Blacks in time for the rematch in the second test.