The Diamonds and the Silver Ferns will face off again in the Constellation Cup, with the first game played at Brisbane Entertainment Centre. Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match, starting from 1:00pm AEDT.
This is the first of four matches played between these two teams, across the two countries over the next two weeks.
Australia has made just one change to their team from the Quad Series. Collingwood Magpies centre Kim Ravaillion has decided to step away from the national team until 2019, advising Netball Australia of her need for some time off, in order to continue performing at the highest level.
Squad member Kate Moloney has been given the nod for the first two Constellation Cup games, with Jamie-Lee Price chosen for the two games in New Zealand.
This gives coach Lisa Alexander an opportunity to see both players in the international arena, before the World Cup next year.
There are three changes to the Silver Ferns team that Australia played just 14 days ago, with coach Noeline Taurua looking to try different combinations during the series.
Young shooter Maia Wilson and development squad members Sulu Fitzpatrick and Erikana Pedersen have been rewarded with opportunities.
Karin Burger, Ameliaranne Ekenasio and Elisapeta Toeava have been dropped from the squad of 12.
The Diamonds and Silver Ferns last faced off just two weeks ago, in the final game of the Quad-Series. Australia won by five goals, despite a final-quarter fight-back by New Zealand.
Prediction
Australia seemed settled in the Quad Series; they were able to bring players off the bench, without upsetting the cohesion on court.
The Silver Ferns are still trying to work out how they can match it and beat the best in the world, after a poor year on the international stage.
New Zealand will snatch a victory off Australia at some point in this series, but it won’t be this first one in front of an Aussie home crowd.
Australia by seven goals.
Venue: Brisbane Entertainment Centre
Time: 1:00pm AEDT
TV: Channel Nine
Betting: Australia $1.14, New Zealand $5.50
Australia
Caitlin Bassett (C)
April Brandley
Kelsey Browne
Courtney Bruce
Emily Mannix
Kate Moloney
Gabi Simpson
Caitlin Thwaites
Gretel Tippett
Liz Watson
Jo Weston
Stephanie Wood
New Zealand
Gina Crampton
Aliyah Dunn
Sulu Fitzpatrick
Maria Folau
Katrina Grant
Laura Langman (C)
Erikana Pedersen
Te Paea Selby-Rickit
Samantha Sinclair
Michaela Sokolich-Beatson
Jane Watson
Maia Wilson
Cheryl Reif
Guest
Well done Diamonds
Sarah Wildy
Roar Guru
Thanks for tuning in today!
Sarah Wildy
Roar Guru
The Australian Diamonds have taken the first game in the Constellation Cup, beating the New Zealand Silver Ferns by 15 goals. It was a very tight and low-scoring in the opening quarter of this clash. New Zealand’s defence and ability to switch from a zone to one-on-one had the Diamonds battling to move the ball forward. After the Silver Ferns took a small lead, the Australian’s got themselves back in it and scores were level at the end of the first quarter. Australia made some small changes to their approach during the break and came out firing in the second term. Better ball movement and defensive pressure allowed them to push out to a handy lead. New Zealand made a couple changes, in the hope of tightening up on the Australian outfit, but had little impact. Australia took an eight-goal lead into the main break. It may have only been an eight-goal lead, but Diamonds’ coach Lisa Alexander had the confidence to make mass changes for the second half. The fresh legs in Caitlin Thwaites, Gretel Tippett and Kelsey Browne in attack, and the consistency of Jo Weston and Courtney Bruce staying on in defence, gave Australia a boost which allowed them to open up a big 17-goal lead. New Zealand, against this second-string line-up, failed to make any inroads and struggled to cross their transverse line and get the ball into the circle, to set up scoring opportunities. In the final term, New Zealand brought Te Paea Selby-Rickit on in goal attack, shifting Maria Folau into goal shooter, which improved their offence. After trialling both Aliyah Dunn and Maia Wilson at goal attack, with Maria Folau in shooter, expect this final quarter combination of Selby-Rickit and Folau to start in the second test. New Zealand won the final quarter by two goals, but Australia still stood strong for a 15-goal victory. Australia shot at 88%, improved in the second half by 100% accuracy in the second half. New Zealand struggled to get attempts on goals and didn’t make the most of them, shooting at 82%. Game two is on Wednesday night in Townsville, before the Constellation Cup heads across to New Zealand for games three and four in Wellington and Hamilton. Final Score: Australia 57 New Zealand 42
Sarah Wildy
Roar Guru
Australia too good today, they went with New Zealand in the first quarter and then broke away in the second. Thwaites and Tippett in the second half lifted the shooting percentage and took the Diamonds away to a big win, fresh legs definitely had the desired impact. New Zealand made too many unforced errors and gave away too many penalties today. Defensively they were strong, but in attack they need some improvement and consistency. Aus 57 NZ 42
Sarah Wildy
Roar Guru
FULL TIME Thwaites scores the final goal of the game. 15 goal victory for the Diamonds. Dominant second and third quarters set up this huge win for the Australians, the New Zealanders have plenty to look at before Wednesday night and game two. Aus 57 NZ 42
Sarah Wildy
Roar Guru
1' Thwaites should have just shot that one, but instead the pass is picked off. Aus 56 NZ 42
Sarah Wildy
Roar Guru
1' A goal for NZ... Then Tippett drives in the circle for Aus, they score. Goal for goal. Aus 56 NZ 41
Sarah Wildy
Roar Guru
2' Last two minutes underway. Aus 55 NZ 40
Sarah Wildy
Roar Guru
3' Selby-Rickit misses, but Folau rebounds and scores. Aus 54 NZ 39
Sarah Wildy
Roar Guru
3' Another goal to the silver ferns. Aus 53 NZ 39
Sarah Wildy
Roar Guru
5' Contact called against Weston, first a miss, then Selby-Rickit scores. Aus 52 NZ 38
Sarah Wildy
Roar Guru
6' Great ball from Browne into Tippett and then Thwaites x2. Aus 52 NZ 37
Sarah Wildy
Roar Guru
6' Scoreline this quarter is 5-9, Australia will want to get back in front here. Aus 49 NZ 36
Sarah Wildy
Roar Guru
7' Better play by New Zealand in the last five minutes. Australia with a settler Aus 48 NZ 35
Sarah Wildy
Roar Guru
9' NZ with a great intercept and now they transition, Folau scores. Aus 47 NZ 34
Sarah Wildy
Roar Guru
10' Folau receives the pass and scores, mini comeback again. Aus 47 NZ 32
Sarah Wildy
Roar Guru
11' Great defence by the Australians, forcing NZ to pass the ball around and go back to the transverse line. Eventually they score through Selby-Rickit. Aus 46 NZ 30
Sarah Wildy
Roar Guru
12' Contact called Wood. Selby-Rickit is on in GA, Folau into GS. Aus 46 NZ 29
Sarah Wildy
Roar Guru
13' And then Australia... Beautiful intercept by Weston, Aus transition again and score after a penalty call against Fitzpatrick. Aus 46 NZ 28
Sarah Wildy
Roar Guru
14' NZ score first. Aus 44 NZ 28