Grumpy Australian Diamonds and outside noise only deepens Silver Ferns’ Constellation Cup challenge

Monday, 13 October 2025

Much has changed since the Silver Ferns last visited Melbourne’s John Cain Arena.

Twelve months ago, coach Dame Noeline Taurua and then-captain Ameliaranne Ekenasio hoisted aloft the Constellation Cup at the venue as unhappy Australian fans headed for the exits.

The Silver Ferns lost the match 63-50, but captured the trophy for just the third time courtesy of winning the first three games.

Neither Taurua and Ekenasio will be in attendance for Friday’s opening match of the trans-Tasman series. Both might never be involved with the Silver Ferns again.

Taurua was sensationally stood down 11 days before the Taini Jamison Trophy series against South Africa and also won’t return for the Constellation Cup or November’s Northern tour.

Two players, acting on behalf of a larger group of players, went to the New Zealand Netball Players’ Association, expressing serious concerns about Taurua’s leadership and communication style after a nine-day training camp in Sydney in January.

It eventually led to NNZ taking the drastic step of standing Taurua down on the eve of the South Africa series, after an independent review into her coaching methods.

Ekenasio, who attended the January camp, has made herself unavailable for the rest of 2025, citing a desire to spend more time with her young family and take a break from the game.

The 79-test veteran, who was a key member of the Ferns’ 2019 Netball World Cup title win, has not shut the door on a possible international return next year with the lure of the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

Australia is a formidable netball challenge at the best of times, but that has only been amplified by the Taurua off-court drama.

The Silver Ferns have faced unprecedented scrutiny since NNZ issued a bombshell press release on September 10, outlining Taurua would not be in charge against South Africa.

Players have copped significant abuse on social media with frustrated fans even sliding into some of their direct messages.

Against South Africa, interim head coach Yvette McCausland-Durie (who will again guide the side) and her charges did an impressive job to quell the outside noise.

They took out the Taini Jamison Trophy series 3-0, but had to overcome a stern South African test in the final match in Invercargill to pull off a last-gasp 57-56 win.

The Diamonds have warmed up for the Constellation Cup with three games against South Africa and won’t be lacking motivation.

Finishing second and missing out on silverware is unfamiliar stuff for the benchmark of world netball.

Australia would love nothing better than to kick the Ferns while they are down and pile on the misery to snatch back the trans-Tasman trophy.

With a powerful squad, headlined by uncompromising defenders Courtney Bruce, Sunday Aryang, and Sarah Klau, Australia start the series as red-hot favourites. Opening the series with two games on Australian soil, where the Silver Ferns have traditionally battled, creates another hurdle.

Despite being underdogs and having to shut out the Taurua saga, the Ferns will know they have game-breakers who can match it with the Diamonds.

Grace Nweke is arguably the best goal shoot in world netball, while Kelly Jackson and interim captain Karin Burger are world-class circle defenders. A likely Ferns’ starting midcourt of either Kimiora Poi or Peta Toeava at wing attack, Maddy Gordon, and Kate Heffernan can hold their own too against their Australian rivals.

“Whether we’re at home or whether we’re away, we’re going out there to do the exact same job. What we do on court doesn’t change,” vice-captain Jackson said.

“For us it’s about going out there and stamping our mark and hitting them first, as opposed to letting them whack us first. We know it’s going to be physical and they’re fit, they’re fast, but we’re also fit, fast, and physical and can match them.”

AT A GLANCE:

Silver Ferns squad to play Australia

Karin Burger (capt), Maddy Gordon, Catherine Hall, Georgia Heffernan, Kate Heffernan, Kelly Jackson, Parris Mason, Grace Nweke, Kimiora Poi, Mila Reulu-Buchanan, Martina Salmon, Carys Stythe, Peta Toeava, Amelia Walmsley.

Constellation Cup schedule

Friday: Game 1 at John Cain Arena, Melbourne, 9.30pm

Wednesday October 22: Game 2 at Qudos Bank Arena, Sydney, 9.30pm

Sunday October 26: Game 3 at Globox Arena, Hamilton, 4.10pm

Wednesday October 29: Game 4 at Wolfbrook Arena, Christchurch, 7.40pm