The Australian Diamonds have opted for experience in their must-win Constellation Cup clash against New Zealand, dropping two of the debutants from game two.
Sophie Dwyer and Maddy Proud have both been left out of Wednesday’s game three team, with Kiera Austin returning.
Defender Sunday Aryang is still sidelined by a calf complaint, so selectors have turned to Jo Weston – despite the experienced defender not being named in the 15-player squad.
Watch the oldest rivalry in Netball as Origin Australian Diamonds face New Zealand in the Constellation Cup Live & Free on Kayo Freebies. Join now and start streaming instantly >
Weston hasn’t played an international match since Australia’s gold medal match at the Commonwealth Games in July.
But she returns to bolster a defensive end that has been unable to stop young Silver Ferns goal shooter Grace Nweke.
Nweke finished with 40 goals at 95% in game one and was player of the match in game two for her 37 goals at 100% accuracy.
Diamonds coach Stacey Marinkovich has shuffled her defensive end in both opening matches, with Sarah Klau and Courtney Bruce both a chance against Nweke.
But the Diamonds went in a defender short in game two, naming Maddy Proud – a midcourter – after Aryang was ruled out.
The Diamonds are now in a do-or-die clash against their rivals after losing both matches held across the ditch.
Game one ended in an eight-goal loss while the Diamonds went down by four goals in game two – despite losing just one quarter of that match.
It means Australia now has to win the remaining two matches of the series at home by a combined 13 goals or more to reclaim the Constellation Cup.
Silver Ferns down Diamonds again | 01:26
Australian captain Liz Watson said the team remained focus on winning back the Cup – which has been held for only the second time by New Zealand since March 2021.
“We haven’t performed how we wanted to. New Zealand has been very great in their performance,” she said.
“We have improved in game one from game two so … it’s on us in how we’re performing, it’s not got to do with outside noise.”
The Ferns have landed in Australia without young wing attack Peta Toeava – who was a standout in the opening two matches.
Toeava has not travelled for the Australian leg of the series, along with defender Sulu Fitzpatrick and Mila Reuelu-Buchanan.
In their place comes Maddy Gordon, rising defender Elle Temu and Kimiora Poi.
Silver Ferns outshine Diamonds | 01:42
SQUADS:
Diamonds – Kiera Austin, Ruby Bakewell-Doran, Courtney Bruce, Sophie Garbin, Sarah Klau, Cara Koenen, Kate Moloney, Amy Parmenter, Jamie-Lee Price, Liz Watson (c), Jo Weston, Steph Wood (vc)
Silver Ferns – Ameliaranne Ekenasio (c), Maddy Gordon, Kate Heffernan, Kayla Johnson, Kelly Jury, Phoenix Karaka, Grace Nweke, Kimiora Poi, Ta Paea Selby-Rickit, Whitney Souness, Elle Temu, Maia Wilson
How to watch:
Australia Men take on the NZ Men as the Constellation Cup curtain raiser from 5.15pm AEDT. The match will be live on Fox Netball – with coverage from 4.45pm.
Game three of the Constellation Cup begins at 7.30pm AEDT.
Follow along in the live blog below
