Former Silver Ferns captain Ameliaranne Ekenasio’s absence sorely felt in Constellation Cup

Sunday, 26 October 2025

The Silver Ferns have sorely missed the experience of former captain Ameliaranne Ekenasio in the Constellation Cup.

What: Constellation Cup test three; Silver Ferns v Australia. When: Sunday, 4.10pm. Where: Globox Arena, Hamilton. Live coverage: Sky Sport 1 from 3.30pm.

What the Silver Ferns would give to have Ameliaranne Ekenasio’s reliable presence at goal attack in the Constellation Cup.

Down on confidence and in a 0-2 hole, the Ferns arrive in Hamilton for Sunday’s must-win clash, having been thumped by 17 goals in each of the first two matches in Australia.

New Zealand face the formidable task of having to win in Hamilton and then again in Christchurch on Wednesday just to force series decider time at the end of that match. Lose either game and Australia would wrest back the Constellation Cup for their 12th title win in 15 years.

It has been tough going for the Ferns in the first two matches, while also having to deal with the emotional and mental anguish of the Dame Noeline Taurua coaching saga raging on in the background.

The Ferns have sorely missed the presence of former captain Ekenasio at goal attack. Vastly experienced with 79 test caps, the 34-year-old was a perfect foil alongside Grace Nweke in their Constellation Cup upset win last year, just the third time they had lifted the trophy.

The Silver Ferns head to Hamilton in a 0-2 hole in the Constellation Cup series.

Ekenasio converted 55 goals from 64 attempts (86%) across the series and was critical to the Ferns’ triumph.

Several Silver Ferns have made themselves unavailable this year.

Ekenasio is the biggest name not to be featuring, citing a desire to spend more time with family and take a break from the game.

Martina Salmon puts up an attempt in the first quarter in Sydney under the defensive pressure of Australia’s Courtney Bruce.

How the Ferns would love to have her back operating alongside Nweke in the shooting end.

Martina Salmon and Georgia Heffernan have had their moments stepping in at goal attack in the first two games, but are both finding their feet at the highest level. In a perfect world, they would be learning on the bench against Australia behind Ekenasio.

The duo have just 12 combined test caps with Salmon debuting in September’s Taini Jamison Trophy series against South Africa.

Georgia Heffernan produced some promising signs at goal attack in Sydney after replacing Martina Salmon.

Salmon, to her credit, has barely played goal attack at the elite level, predominantly being a goal shoot. Heffernan was recalled to the Silver Ferns national squad this year after being overlooked last year.

Amelia Walmsley is the other shooter in the Ferns’ squad, but like Salmon is more of a goal shoot, who is developing her game at goal attack.

Without Ekenasio, the goal attack position was very much up for grabs for the final two Constellation Cup tests and November’s Northern tour, interim coach Yvette McCausland-Durie said.

“We’ve lost a player who had over 78 tests experience and a captain, so absolutely we’re looking for people to own that job.

“Martina has not played at goal attack even at franchise level this season. This is a really big stretch for her, but we’ve been impressed with the progress and development and the willingness to make that a position she wants to improve.”

Salmon started in Sydney, playing the first quarter before she was replaced by Heffernan, who saw out the rest of the game.

There were some encouraging signs from Heffernan, who converted 10 from 11, while providing 11 goal assists for Nweke.