Silver Ferns win Constellation Cup with Sydney comeback

The Silver Ferns secured the Constellation Cup with a 52-49 comeback victory over Australia in the third Test at Afterpay Arena in Sydney. Trailing for most of the match, New Zealand produced a 13-8 fourth-quarter performance to win the game. This victory marks the fourth time the Silver Ferns have won the trophy and their fifth consecutive win against the Diamonds.

The match was played at the venue for next year's Netball World Cup final. Australia led 15-11 after the first quarter and held a 41-39 lead at the end of the third. New Zealand's Grace Nweke contributed 41 goals to the win. Australia's Sophie Garbin scored 37 goals.

The Silver Ferns now have a chance to sweep the four-game series in Melbourne on Wednesday. A series win would potentially move New Zealand to the number one spot in the World Netball rankings for the first time since 2013.

Silver Ferns captain Karin Burger noted the team was prepared for a difficult match. "We came in gunning for it and we prepared really well," Burger said. Coach Dame Noeline Taurua said the team's ability to recover from being behind was significant. "With that experience that we've actually probably never been down and being able to come back. So that's massive for us," Taurua said.

How it developed

• Sun 25 Oct, 7:47pmThe third Test resulted in a 52-49 win for the Silver Ferns after trailing for much of the game.

Where reports differ

• One report states the Silver Ferns have won two of the last 12 matches in Australia, while another says they have won two of the last 12 Constellation Cup matches across the ditch

Compiled from reports by Stuff, Otago Daily Times, The Post, 1News, NZ Herald and RNZ.