Samsung Australian Diamonds
There could be no better lead-in to an emotion charged Constellation Cup for the Samsung Australian Diamonds than a three-game clean sweep of some of the world’s best netballing nations, in the recent 2018 Quad Series.
Any doubts about what life would be like without a quartet of Diamonds legends were answered - loudly - in the 2018 Netball Quad Series by our next generation of young stars.
And yet there’s little time for celebration as Australia faces off in what promises to be four bruising Tests against a rejuvenated, well-led New Zealand Silver Ferns outfit that’s growing in confidence by the day.
Adding further to the challenge that the Constellation Cup presents, is the loss of midcourt stalwart Kim Ravaillion, who is taking an extended break from the national team. Her absence will ask big questions of her team mates.
It does, however, present opportunities for the next wave of young Aussie stars to stake their claim as the future of the green and gold.
New Zealand Silver Ferns
They’re back. Those who were prepared to write the Silver Ferns off after a disappointing Commonwealth Games campaign clearly underestimated just how proud this netballing nation is.
If the Ferns’ Quad Series performances are a snapshot of life under new coach Noeline Taurua, the Samsung Australian Diamonds will need to be at their absolute best if they’re to retain the Constellation Cup.
Laura Langman has slipped back into the side as if she never left, Maria Folau shook off some struggles against England to remind everyone why she’s so feared and revered, with dominant displays against South Africa and Australia, and Aliyah Dunn gave New Zealanders a glimpse of an intensely bright future for the national team.
Now, of course, comes the real challenge: delivering four world class performances in a row against the world’s number one-ranked team.
