The Diamonds know they must take their sport to a different degree to wrest again the Constellation Cup from New Zealand, regardless of their snug sequence win over South Africa.
The four-Take a look at sequence 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 Checks towards their trans-Tasman rivals final yr, earlier than triumphing within the closing sport of the sequence.
It was the Silver Ferns’ first sequence win since 2021 and simply their third for the reason that trophy went on the road in 2010.
Each groups enter this yr’s battle on the again of three-Take a look at clear sweeps over South Africa.
The Silver Ferns performed September’s sequence towards the Proteas with out their embellished 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 bunch of gamers elevating issues about her management and communication model.
A subsequent unbiased investigation highlighted points within the Silver Ferns’ atmosphere, with Yvette McCausland-Durie taking on 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 mentioned she anticipated the Silver Ferns to mount a stiff problem, regardless of the personnel adjustments amongst their teaching employees and enjoying squad.
“New Zealand at all times convey it,” Marinkovich mentioned.
They definitely did final yr they usually maintain that cup.
“We will need to be at our greatest and we’re simply going to need to 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 Take a look at towards the Proteas, Teague-Neeld was named participant of the sequence.
However Marinkovich was glad to provide different gamers, equivalent to Hannah Mundy, extra sport time after her promising Take a look at debut on Sunday.
“She’s (Teague-Neeld) executed an unbelievable job and I believe that is the factor, gamers are taking their alternatives,” Marinkovich mentioned.
“There’s issues that we nonetheless have to see from different gamers and nonetheless have to rotate combos from inside our squad.
“Hannah’s solely been on the market for one sport.”
Following Friday’s Take a look at, the groups square-off in Sydney on October 22.
The sequence concludes with two Checks in New Zealand.
AAP
