Constellation Cup - 2022 Preview

The Origin Australian Diamonds will hope to build on the success of their Commonwealth Games gold medal performance when they take on New Zealand’s Silver Ferns in the Constellation Cup. 
 
For the Silver Ferns the series will be a chance for them to test their game strategies against the world number one. 

The pair last met on court earlier this year as part of the Netball Quad Series, where Australia defeated New Zealand by 14 goals in the opening round. 

Eight of the Diamonds’ Commonwealth Games gold medalists have been named in the team that will take to the court against New Zealand – including captain Liz Watson. 

Watson will be joined by Sunday Aryang, Kiera Austin, Courtney Bruce, Sarah Klau, Cara Koenen, Kate Moloney and Steph Wood.  

Jamie-Lee Price returns to the lineup, having been a training partner for the Commonwealth Games.  

Fan voted Commonwealth Games MVP Gretel Bueta was also named in the Constellation Cup team but has withdrawn to focus on her family with the star shooter announcing she is pregnant with her second child. 

The series also provides an opportunity for four potential debutants to don the green and gold including Ruby Bakewell-Doran, Sophie Dwyer, Amy Parmenter and Maddy Proud. 

Watson was outstanding when the Diamonds last met the Silver Ferns with the Australian captain finishing the match with 34 feeds and 15 goal assists in her return from injury. Watson also had a stellar Commonwealth Games campaign finishing with the highest number of goal assists at 174.  

The New Zealand Silver Ferns have named two sides for the Constellation Cup with a handful of players to only play the New Zealand leg of the series and a handful to only play the Australian leg. 

Named in the series for the full four matches is Silver Ferns shooting stalwart and captain Ameliaranne Ekenasio.  

Also selected for the full series is Kate Heffernan, Kayla Johnson, Kelly Jury, Phoenix Karaka, Grace Nweke, Te Paea Selby-Rickit, Whitney Souness and Maia Wilson.  

Nweke was a standout for the Ferns at the Commonwealth Games shooting the third highest number of goals in any team with 241 at 92 per cent.  

The last time the two sides met, Kayla Johnson was a challenge for the Origin Diamonds in defence with three intercepts and three gains to her name.  

Representing the Silver Ferns in the New Zealand leg only will be defender Sulu Fitzpatrick, dynamic midcourter and goal attack Mila Reuelu-Buchanan and midcourter Peta Toeava.  

Kimiora Poi and Maddy Gordon will inject some fresh speed into the midcourt for the Australian leg with defender Elle Temu also named. 

During the 2021 Constellation Cup New Zealand’s Silver Ferns won the trophy back from Australia after the Diamonds had strung together a number of successful years.  

The question is, will the trophy stay in New Zealand, or will it be the latest edition to the Diamonds’ trophy cabinet? 

Meanwhile, in a historic first the Australian and New Zealand men's teams will play two curtain raiser matches against each other ahead of the Diamonds matches in Auckland and Melbourne. 

Australian audiences can watch live and free on Kayo Freebies and Foxtel. For full broadcast information click here. 

More information on the Constellation Cup and merchandise can be found here.