Diamonds a real challenge for Taurua’s fresh-faced Silver Ferns

A lack of game time against Australia for many of her players had Silver Ferns coach Dame Noeline Taurua concerned going into the first Constellation Cup match last night.

The two sides have met just once this year, at the Quad Series in London in January.

A lack of game time against the Diamonds was highlighted when Dame Noeline got the side together ahead of the series.

“At the first meeting I asked who’s played against Australia [for] four quarters, let alone game to game to game and there wasn’t many hands up apart from Meels,” said Dame Noeline.

Meels is captain Ameliaranne Ekenasio, who is the most experienced member of the side, having debuted in 2014 and played 49 tests.

“I think that’s the exciting thing about these players that we have, it’s like a new generation coming through, they’re fearless and they work really hard for each other.

“We’ll see what it’s all about once we get out on court and we know how far or close we are from number one.”

New Zealand are the holders of the Constellation Cup after winning the 2021 series and this year bagged the bronze medal at the Commonwealth Games with Australia winning gold . . . but the two sides didn’t meet in Birmingham.

“We understand what’s going to happen out on court and know their style but I think there’s still work that we need to do in regards to consolidating our own strategy.”

A number of the new players in the Ferns squad face a baptism of fire in the series against the Australians.

“To some degree it’s a wee bit scary but the likes of a Grace (Nweke) hasn’t played against Courtney (Bruce) or (Sarah) Klau to this degree that we’re asking her. We’ve got players who have never played against Australia back to back let alone one game four quarters

. . . but what we know is we’ve got heart.”

Internal competition could be the key to New Zealand’s chances in this series and also working towards next year’s world cup.

“I feel for the players in some respects because they serve each other really well but also there needs to be a competitive edge. When you get the opportunity to wear the bib, you’ve got to take it.”

The second match is in Tauranga on Saturday before the series moves to Australia for games in Melbourne and Gold Coast.