Commentator’s Call: this Series will be a cracker!
October 8, 2016
SKY Sport NZ commentator Jenny Woods is back to preview the New World Netball Series for the Constellation Cup.
The Constellation Cup throws up four Tests against the Australian Diamonds in a competition that, since it began in 2010, the Silver Ferns have won just once. That was in 2012, when the Silver Ferns took the Series 2-1.
Wai Taumaunu’s team came close last year, drawing the Series 2-2, just missing out on goal percentage.
Sunday’s first Test sees a rematch of last year’s Netball World Cup Gold Medal Match as the teams return to Allphones Arena in Sydney Olympic Park – now known as Qudos Bank Arena. Happy memories for Diamonds fans, not so much for Kiwis.
GET TICKETS – NZLvAUS in Auckland and Invercargill
The 2016 Silver Ferns have had one crack at the Diamonds already and it was a pearler. The lead changed 10 times before New Zealand made crucial errors in the final few minutes of the game in Melbourne, allowing Australia to take the win – and the Netball Quad Series – 60-55.
But many positives were taken from that Series – not least the continued rise of Jane Watson, the form of Ameliaranne Ekenasio and the bedding in of a team that boasts two new coaches and a new captain.
The Silver Ferns have had a change forced on them for the Constellation Cup with Kayla Cullen out with a foot injury. Gina Crampton has been added to the touring team of 14. Clearly not a straight swap, but a useful boost to the midcourt nonetheless. Cullen’s loss is a blow as she was back to her free-flowing best in the Netball Quad Series and the Tests against Jamaica.
The headache of losing her is perhaps partially eased with the return of Anna Harrison from a calf injury. It will be interesting to see if Southby and assistant coach Yvette McCausland-Durie choose to bring her straight in to deal with Madi Robinson or move Laura Langman back to WD and run Shannon Francois at C.
The other quandary will be how best to handle the re-introduction of Maria Tutaia. It would appear the star shooter will be eased back into full duties as she returns from a foot injury which has seen her in a moonboot for weeks. Of some consolation is how well the shooting circle has been operating. Ekenasio was outstanding in the outing against Australia, and Te Paea Selby-Rickit looked assured when given her chance in the Series against Jamaica.
Australia has tweaked its squad for the Constellation Cup, with Lisa Alexander adding Gretel Tippett to the forward line and Jo Weston to the back. They come in for Steph Wood and Kristiana Manu’a who made their international debuts in the Netball Quad Series.
The bottom line is that whichever seven is on court in green and gold, will be tough, with few doubts about Australia’s depth. But there’s a growing feeling that New Zealand is building its own well of resilience. Katrina Grant has grown quickly in her role as captain.
Savour these Tests - Sydney on Sunday, Launceston on Wednesday, Auckland next Saturday and the last hurrah in Invercargill on Thursday week.
NZ-based fans can catch all the action from the New World Netball Series for the Constellation Cup LIVE on SKY Sport NZ and on DELAY on Prime.
Sunday’s first Test in Sydney will be shown live on SKY Sport 2 from 5.15pm (NZT) and on delay on Prime from 10.35pm (check local guides).
The Constellation Cup throws up four Tests against the Australian Diamonds in a competition that, since it began in 2010, the Silver Ferns have won just once. That was in 2012, when the Silver Ferns took the Series 2-1.
Wai Taumaunu’s team came close last year, drawing the Series 2-2, just missing out on goal percentage.
Sunday’s first Test sees a rematch of last year’s Netball World Cup Gold Medal Match as the teams return to Allphones Arena in Sydney Olympic Park – now known as Qudos Bank Arena. Happy memories for Diamonds fans, not so much for Kiwis.
GET TICKETS – NZLvAUS in Auckland and Invercargill
The 2016 Silver Ferns have had one crack at the Diamonds already and it was a pearler. The lead changed 10 times before New Zealand made crucial errors in the final few minutes of the game in Melbourne, allowing Australia to take the win – and the Netball Quad Series – 60-55.
But many positives were taken from that Series – not least the continued rise of Jane Watson, the form of Ameliaranne Ekenasio and the bedding in of a team that boasts two new coaches and a new captain.
The Silver Ferns have had a change forced on them for the Constellation Cup with Kayla Cullen out with a foot injury. Gina Crampton has been added to the touring team of 14. Clearly not a straight swap, but a useful boost to the midcourt nonetheless. Cullen’s loss is a blow as she was back to her free-flowing best in the Netball Quad Series and the Tests against Jamaica.
The headache of losing her is perhaps partially eased with the return of Anna Harrison from a calf injury. It will be interesting to see if Southby and assistant coach Yvette McCausland-Durie choose to bring her straight in to deal with Madi Robinson or move Laura Langman back to WD and run Shannon Francois at C.
The other quandary will be how best to handle the re-introduction of Maria Tutaia. It would appear the star shooter will be eased back into full duties as she returns from a foot injury which has seen her in a moonboot for weeks. Of some consolation is how well the shooting circle has been operating. Ekenasio was outstanding in the outing against Australia, and Te Paea Selby-Rickit looked assured when given her chance in the Series against Jamaica.
Australia has tweaked its squad for the Constellation Cup, with Lisa Alexander adding Gretel Tippett to the forward line and Jo Weston to the back. They come in for Steph Wood and Kristiana Manu’a who made their international debuts in the Netball Quad Series.
The bottom line is that whichever seven is on court in green and gold, will be tough, with few doubts about Australia’s depth. But there’s a growing feeling that New Zealand is building its own well of resilience. Katrina Grant has grown quickly in her role as captain.
Savour these Tests - Sydney on Sunday, Launceston on Wednesday, Auckland next Saturday and the last hurrah in Invercargill on Thursday week.
NZ-based fans can catch all the action from the New World Netball Series for the Constellation Cup LIVE on SKY Sport NZ and on DELAY on Prime.
Sunday’s first Test in Sydney will be shown live on SKY Sport 2 from 5.15pm (NZT) and on delay on Prime from 10.35pm (check local guides).