The Diamonds begin their defence of the Constellation Cup against New Zealand at Spark Arena in Auckland on Sunday 18 October, with game one scheduled for 5:30pm AEDT. It is the first of four Tests between the two nations, played between 18 and 28 October.
The Diamonds are the reigning champions, according to Netball Australia. The 2025 series finished 2-2 and went to extra time, with both nations winning on home soil, and the Diamonds claimed the cup even though they lost match 4.
After Glasgow
The two sides come into the series with very different results from August. New Zealand won the Commonwealth Games gold medal in Glasgow, Netball Australia reported. The Diamonds lost to Jamaica in the semi-finals and took bronze, their lowest-ever finish at the pinnacle event, according to RNZ.
Australia has still won all but one match in 2026 and is top of the World Netball Rankings, according to Netball Australia. RNZ reported that the Silver Ferns are ranked second in the world.
Silver Ferns captain Karin Burger said, as reported by RNZ: “It’s always going to be feisty, I mean it’s a top of the table clash, you know, in world netball, so it definitely reflects that on court as well.”
Burger said the big test was whether the Ferns could beat a wounded Australian side, RNZ reported.
Taurua Coaches at Home Again
The Auckland Test will be the first time Dame Noeline Taurua has coached the Silver Ferns on New Zealand soil in two years, according to RNZ. She did not coach any Tests last year after a temporary suspension.
“Always an honour to play at home and I can’t wait, knowing that it’s been a few years since I was at home,” Taurua said, RNZ reported.
She also looked ahead to the Netball World Cup, which she said is in Sydney in August next year. RNZ quoted her as saying: “We know that Netball World Cup [next year] is in August in Sydney so I’d like to think maybe the pressure is on them at the moment.”
Questions for Marinkovich
Taurua said it was difficult to anticipate how much Australian coach Stacey Marinkovich might change her starting line-up, particularly in the shooting end, RNZ reported. RNZ quoted her as saying: “It will be interesting as to whether Stacey makes those changes.”
In Glasgow, Marinkovich relied on shooters Kiera Austin and Sophie Garbin, with Cara Koenen and Sophie Dwyer in reserve, according to RNZ. The broadcaster named Georgie Horjus and Donnell Wallam as further options.
“They’ve got a few options and to be honest we’re not too sure how they’re going to play it. They could play the tried and true and that has been really successful for them,” Taurua was quoted by RNZ as saying.
At the other end of the court, she pointed to Australian defender Courtney Bruce. RNZ quoted her as saying: “We know Courtney Bruce in the back is a formidable defender, loves to play the game and her against Grace [Nweke] or any of our shooters is going to be tough.”
New Zealand have three additions to their Glasgow squad, RNZ reported: travelling reserve Parris Mason, Peta Toeava, and Te Paea Selby-Rickit, who returns after three years. Liz Watson captains the Diamonds, with Kate Moloney as vice-captain, according to Netball Australia.
Auckland, Christchurch, Sydney, Melbourne
Game two is at Wolfbrook Arena in Christchurch on Wednesday 21 October at 5:30pm AEDT, according to Netball Australia. The series then moves to Australia, with game three at Afterpay Arena in Sydney on Sunday 25 October at 4pm AEDT and game four at John Cain Arena in Melbourne on Wednesday 28 October at 7:30pm AEDT.
All four matches are on Kayo Freebies, Foxtel and Binge, Netball Australia said.
More netball and other sport is in Buzzline’s Sports section.
Sources: Netball Australia, “Your guide to the Constellation Cup” (https://netball.com.au/news/your-guide-constellation-cup); RNZ, “Silver Ferns’ coach Dame Noeline Taurua says pressure on Australia”, 15 October 2026 (https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/sport/1929763/silver-ferns-coach-dame-noeline-taurua-says-pressure-on-australia)
Photo: Prosperosity, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Spark Arena in Auckland, venue for the first Constellation Cup Test, in February 2022.
2026 Constellation Cup
- Game 1: Sunday 18 October, 5:30pm AEDT, Spark Arena, Auckland
- Game 2: Wednesday 21 October, 5:30pm AEDT, Wolfbrook Arena, Christchurch
- Game 3: Sunday 25 October, 4pm AEDT, Afterpay Arena, Sydney
- Game 4: Wednesday 28 October, 7:30pm AEDT, John Cain Arena, Melbourne
Schedule: Netball Australia.
