Constellation Cup 2026: Diamonds trail Ferns 2-0
The Silver Ferns won 56-50 and 62-50 in New Zealand. The Diamonds must win in Sydney on Sunday and Melbourne on Wednesday to draw the series.
The Diamonds come home for the second half of the 2026 Constellation Cup needing to win both remaining Tests against New Zealand. The Silver Ferns lead the four-match series 2-0 after wins in Auckland and Christchurch, and Australia, the holders after last year's drawn series went to extra time, now play in Sydney on Sunday and Melbourne next Wednesday.
Results so far
| Test | Date | Venue | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sunday 18 October | Auckland | New Zealand 56, Australia 50 |
| 2 | Wednesday 21 October | Wolfbrook Arena, Christchurch | New Zealand 62, Australia 50 |
| 3 | Sunday 25 October, 4pm AEDT | Afterpay Arena, Sydney | To be played |
| 4 | Wednesday 28 October, 7.30pm AEDT | John Cain Arena, Melbourne | To be played |
Test one in Auckland
New Zealand set the tone early and led 32-22 at half-time, with the margin out to 15 goals at one stage. Australia won the last quarter 17-11, but the gap was too big to close. Goal shooter Grace Nweke scored 40 goals from 41 attempts. Sophie Garbin came off the bench to land 20 from 21 and lift Australia's shooting late.
It was meant to be a celebration for Courtney Bruce, who played her 100th Test and became the seventh Diamond to reach the mark. She is only the second defender to do it, after Liz Ellis. Bruce and captain Liz Watson were both taken off before the end, a rare call for two of the most capped players in the side. Watson started at centre because vice-captain Kate Moloney had cut her finger at training. Jessie Grenvold made her debut in defence and finished with three gains, the most of any Australian.
The win was New Zealand's 11th in a row over Australia on home courts. The Diamonds have not won a Test in New Zealand since 2021.
Test two in Christchurch
Coach Stacey Marinkovich reshuffled the side for the second Test. Moloney returned at centre, Bruce moved to goal defence and Grenvold made her first start at goal keeper. Australia was without wing defence Jamie-Lee Price, who had a calf problem.
New Zealand led 17-14 after the first quarter and 33-26 at half-time. Australia fought back to within three goals at the last break, trailing 45-42, before the Ferns took over. They outscored Australia 10-3 early in the final term and won the quarter 17-8. Nweke shot 26 from 26.
What is at stake in Australia
Australia has to win in Sydney to keep the series alive, then win again in Melbourne to draw it 2-2. New Zealand is 18 goals ahead on aggregate after two Tests. Goal difference is due to separate the teams if the series finishes level this year, which means the Diamonds would need to make up that margin across the two home games as well as winning both. In 2025 a 2-2 series was settled by an extra-time decider, which Australia won by one goal.
There is a wider picture too. New Zealand beat Jamaica in the Commonwealth Games final in Glasgow in August, while Australia took bronze. A series win in October would give New Zealand the Commonwealth title and the Constellation Cup in the same year.
The Diamonds squad
Marinkovich named a squad of 14 in September. Clubs are as listed at selection.
- Kiera Austin (Melbourne Vixens)
- Courtney Bruce (Sunshine Coast Lightning)
- Sophie Dwyer (Sydney Sirens)
- Sophie Garbin (Melbourne Vixens)
- Matilda Garrett (NSW Swifts)
- Jessie Grenvold (Melbourne Mavericks)
- Georgie Horjus (Adelaide Thunderbirds)
- Sarah Klau (NSW Swifts)
- Cara Koenen (Queensland Firebirds)
- Kate Moloney (Melbourne Vixens, vice-captain)
- Amy Parmenter (Melbourne Mavericks)
- Jamie-Lee Price (Melbourne Mavericks)
- Donnell Wallam (Sunshine Coast Lightning)
- Liz Watson (Sunshine Coast Lightning, captain)
Grenvold, Parmenter and Wallam returned after being reserves at the Commonwealth Games. Jo Weston was unavailable. Klau kept her place after Netball Australia fined her $5,000 and gave her a two-match ban, suspended for 12 months, following a guilty plea to common assault over an incident outside a Sydney pub.
New Zealand is coached by Noeline Taurua, who has been reappointed through to the 2027 Netball World Cup. Karin Burger captains the Ferns.
How to follow the Australian leg
Test three in Sydney starts at 4pm AEDT on Sunday 25 October. Test four in Melbourne is a Wednesday night game at 7.30pm AEDT. Tickets for Sydney are sold through Ticketek and for Melbourne through AXS.
All four Tests are broadcast live in Australia on Foxtel, with coverage also available on Kayo and Binge. Our Australian sports calendar has both dates alongside the rest of the late-October fixture.
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