Ex-Diamonds captain helps Poms plot Aussie downfall

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Ex-Diamonds captain helps Poms plot Aussie downfall

Australia captain Liz Watson says it’s the new reality of an ever-shrinking netball world to have a predecessor plotting the downfall of the Diamonds.

The Diamonds meet England in the opener of a three-Test series in Adelaide on Thursday night with the visitors boasting a familar *********** face in their ranks.

Former *********** captain Sharni Norder has been lured into the England camp as a defensive coach for the series.

“Having internationals in our (domestic) competition, you’re always going to have that crossover now,” Watson said on Wednesday.

“Obviously Sharni has been in the Diamonds, she has been in the environment at local clubs too, so she knows us inside-out … it’s just the reality of what it is now.”

Norder, a dual World Cup winner and Commonwealth Games gold medallist, spent the domestic Super Netball league working with the Melbourne Vixens.

Also on England’s staff is Giants co-captain Jo Harten, the Englishwoman who has played in Australia since 2017. Harten is helping the Roses’ attackers and shooters.

Watson said the coaching crossover adds further spice to the Diamonds’ increasing rivalry with England.

At last year’s World Cup, England upset the Aussies by one goal in the second group phase before the Diamonds turned the tables with a 61-45 win in the final to claim a 12th title.

“Our rivalry with England has definitely grown over the last two or three years,” Watson said.

“Obviously that World Cup loss in the rounds and then the final has probably sparked it even more, it (the rivalry) is just getting stronger and stronger.

“We know a few of the ****** who do play in our local teams, so lots of ****** are friends with them as well and teammates.

“But once we play for our country, there’s nothing like it – you are just there to represent your country. The pride to play for Australia … you go out there with passion.”

The world No.1 Diamonds could give a Test debut for South *********** 22-year-old Georgie Horjus in her home city.

The Adelaide Thunderbirds star, Rudi Ellis and Ash Ervin are three newcomers in the 15-strong Diamonds squad for the series which continues in Sydney on Sunday and Bendigo next Wednesday.

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