Diamonds mindful they need to lift against Silver Ferns

[ad_1] The Diamonds know they must take their sport to a different degree to wrest again the Constellation Cup from New Zealand, regardless of their comfy sequence win over South Africa.

The four-Check 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 12 months, earlier than triumphing within the ultimate sport of the sequence.

It was the Silver Ferns' first sequence win since 2021 and simply their third because the trophy went on the road in 2010.

Each groups enter this 12 months's battle on the again of three-Check clear sweeps over South Africa.

The Silver Ferns performed September's sequence 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.

<img alt="New Zealand netball coach and captain, Dame Noeline Taurua and Ameliaranne Ekenasio, holding the trophy" class="Image_image__5tFYM ContentImage_image__DQ_cq" sizes="100vw" src="https://live-production.wcms.abc-cdn.net.au/a67c70eb748308a2e199f5a4f89cf9cd?impolicy=wcms_crop_resize&cropH=3333&cropW=5000&xPos=0&yPos=0&width=862&height=575" loading="lazy" data-component="Image" data-lazy="true"/> Dame Noeline Taurua (left) and Ameliaranne Ekenasio led the Silver Ferns to their Constellation Cup win final 12 months.

No timeline has been given for Taurua's return.

The shock name adopted a January coaching camp, with a gaggle of gamers elevating issues about her management and communication type.

A subsequent impartial investigation highlighted points within the Silver Ferns' surroundings, with Yvette McCausland-Durie taking on as interim coach.

Ameliaranne Ekenasio, who captained the Silver Ferns towards the Diamonds final 12 months, 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 adjustments amongst their teaching employees and enjoying squad.

"New Zealand all the time convey it," Marinkovich stated.

Diamond sweep Proteas Australia warms up for the Constellation Cup with a convincing 65-42 victory over South Africa within the third and ultimate Check in Adelaide.

They definitely did final 12 months and so they maintain that cup.

"We'll need to be at our greatest and we're simply going to need to preserve 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.