The Diamonds know they must take their sport to a different stage to wrest again the Constellation Cup from New Zealand, regardless of their snug collection win over South Africa.
The four-Check collection towards the Silver Ferns begins in Melbourne on Friday evening, with the world champion Diamonds out to make amends for a disappointing 2024 marketing campaign.
They misplaced the primary three Assessments towards their trans-Tasman rivals final yr, earlier than triumphing within the closing sport of the collection.
It was the Silver Ferns’ first collection win since 2021 and simply their third because the trophy went on the road in 2010.
Each groups enter this yr’s battle on the again of three-Check clear sweeps over South Africa.
The Silver Ferns performed September’s collection towards the Proteas with out their adorned coach, Dame Noeline Taurua, who was stood down by New Zealand Netball after eight years within the function.
Dame Noeline Taurua (left) and Ameliaranne Ekenasio led the Silver Ferns to their Constellation Cup win final yr.
No timeline has been given for Taurua’s return.
The shock name adopted a January coaching camp, with a gaggle of gamers elevating considerations about her management and communication model.
A subsequent unbiased investigation highlighted points within the Silver Ferns’ setting, with Yvette McCausland-Durie taking up as interim coach.
Ameliaranne Ekenasio, who captained the Silver Ferns towards the Diamonds final yr, is not going to be in Melbourne after making herself unavailable.
Diamonds coach Stacey Marinkovich stated she anticipated the Silver Ferns to mount a stiff problem, regardless of the personnel modifications amongst their teaching employees and enjoying squad.
“New Zealand all the time deliver it,” Marinkovich stated.
Diamond sweep Proteas
They actually did final yr and so they maintain that cup.
“We’ll should be at our greatest and we’re simply going to should maintain elevating our efficiency.”
Sunday Aryang, Sophie Dwyer and Amy Parmenter have come into the Diamonds’ Constellation Cup squad, whereas Jo Weston, Alice Teague-Neeld and Lucy Austin drop out.
Making her debut within the first Check towards the Proteas, Teague-Neeld was named participant of the collection.
However Marinkovich was joyful to provide different gamers, resembling Hannah Mundy, extra sport time after her promising Check debut on Sunday.
“She’s (Teague-Neeld) accomplished an unbelievable job and I believe that is the factor, gamers are taking their alternatives,” Marinkovich stated.
“There’s issues that we nonetheless must see from different gamers and nonetheless must rotate combos from inside our squad.
“Hannah’s solely been on the market for one sport.”
Following Friday’s Check, the groups square-off in Sydney on October 22.
The collection concludes with two Assessments in New Zealand.
AAP
