Commentator’s Call: the most highly anticipated Series yet

SKY Sport’s Jenny Woods is in the box seat to bring fans all the action from the highly anticipated Constellation Cup – she gives her thoughts on both teams ahead of Thursday’s First Test at Auckland’s Spark Arena…

For the first time the Netball Quad Series prize is nestled beside the precious Taini Jamison Trophy in the Netball New Zealand cabinet, after some of the best international Netball in years. All that’s missing is the Constellation Cup.

How ironic that the biggest margin in the recent Quad Series was between the Silver Ferns and the Australian Diamonds. That 10 goal victory by New Zealand over Australia in the decider has sent ripples through Netball circles across the Tasman.

Lisa Alexander has described the first quarter in Invercargill as the worst 15 minutes of Netball she’s been associated with. The normally good-humoured Diamonds coach was certainly unhappy – and let’s face it, losing is not something she’s used to.

Janine Southby on the other hand has continued on her measured path towards building depth in the Silver Ferns. The aim is to have three players at international level in each position. That’s something that in the past New Zealand has often enjoyed at the defensive end of the court, but not elsewhere. 

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The biggest casualty of this programme is Grace Rasmussen. The veteran WA steadied the ship in that thrilling win over England to retain the Taini Jamison Trophy and must have thought she’d done enough to secure Constellation Cup selection. But as all teams build towards April’s Commonwealth Games, it’s understandable why Southby and her fellow selectors want to see what Whitney Souness can do against the Aussies.

Other than Rasmussen, the 12 for the Constellation Cup is as expected. Temalisi Fakahokotau and Kelly Jury were simply too good to leave out, meaning no room – this time for Jane Watson. Kayla Cullen, while still not at peak, did enough during the Taini Jamison Trophy Test Series, showing the importance of her carriage of the ball through court.  Samantha Sinclair offers centre cover for Shannon Francois, and Gina Crampton offers the security of the “Steel thread” into the circle between Francois and Te Paea Selby-Rickit.

Lisa Alexander has rung the changes. Most dramatic was overlooking star midcourter Madi Robinson – a player many thought would be Diamonds captain in the absence of Sharni Layton. In come Caitlyn Nevins and debutante Kate Moloney.

As was always Australia’s plan, Susan Pettitt and Steph Wood come in to the shooting circle replacing Gretel Tippett and Tegan Philip.  Wood in particular will make a big difference. Her partnership with captain Caitlin Bassett for the Sunshine Coast Lightning was outstanding.

But the real area of concern for Australia is in defence.  Newbie Courtney Bruce was taken off at three quarter time in Invercargill, having been virtually whistled off the court.  The 24-year-old has all the makings of a star, but has to become more disciplined.

This Constellation Cup starting in Auckland on October 5 and culminating in Sydney on October 14 should be a beauty.  But we’ve heard for years about the dangers posed in rugby by a Wounded Wallaby, and I'm sure the same applies to a “Chipped Diamond”.

You can catch Jenny Woods and her SKY Sport colleagues bringing you all the action from the highly-anticipated First Test of the Constellation Cup live on SKY Sport 2 from 7pm on Thursday night, delayed on Prime from 9.30pm. Fans can also tune into Radio Sport for live match commentary.