The Silver Ferns' recent Constellation Cup campaign has been a blend of triumph and tension, best described by Coach Dame Noeline Taurua as “bittersweet".
The Ferns clinched the cup in a stunning series win, but lost their final match against the Diamonds 63-50 in Melbourne last night, creating a mix of pride and frustration for the team.
“If that’s the word—salt and vinegar, you know, a bit like that. Elated we got the trophy, moments of getting everybody out there are valuable for us," Taurua said.
For the Silver Ferns, winning the Constellation Cup after a decade-long drought was no small feat.
The series marked their first victory since 2012, and pride was evident as the team held the trophy aloft amid black-and-white streamers—a delightful surprise to both the team and fans.
“We weren’t expecting that actually,” Taurua said. “We thought it might be gold, so that’s a bonus.”
Chasing opportunity, not just history
While securing the series was crucial, Dame Noeline prioritised a broader goal: testing and building the depth of her squad, ensuring all 12 players took to the court.
“It’s always about building the depth, holding the balance," she explained.
While the loss was disappointing, Taurua said it was still a positive step forward for the team.
"I’m actually really pleased that we got everybody out there. I know what people need to do now, a great experience for some of them, but also, we know where the gap is and what we need to do over the break."
Taurua emphasised the importance of assessing the team’s readiness and resilience under high-stakes conditions, setting a foundation for the “Bomb Squad”—her bench players who were poised to make their mark internationally.
Amelia Walmsley, who stepped up to shoot, expressed her pride, saying: “The opportunity to start is definitely something that I do not take for granted at all.
“It was quite exciting to get that opportunity… super stoked to get out on court.”
With star shooter Grace Nweke set to join Australia’s Sydney Swifts next season, Taurua and her coaching staff prepared to fill the gap left by her departure.
“We know why she’s going, and we support her 100%,” Taurua said.
“We'll still be in the backyard supporting her while she's over in Sydney.”
Facing the Diamonds at their most formidable
The final test of the Constellation Cup in Melbourne posed a formidable challenge.
Facing a lethal Australian Diamonds squad determined to avoid a series sweep, the Silver Ferns pushed hard but ultimately fell short.
“The Diamonds are number one... they bring it, so we were expecting that from them,” Taurua said.
Diamonds’ wing attack Liz Watson acknowledged the high stakes of securing a win in the series.
“The Ferns have been playing incredible netball,” she said, adding, “We really tried to break them, and the first three games they were just too good. So, to come out here... play with freedom and just really play for each other... it’s a nice way to finish.”
It came as no surprise that the Ferns hadn’t won a match against their arch-rivals in Melbourne for almost a decade.
“Melbourne is special... the crowd, the netball crowd, they’re incredible... they really get around us here,” Watson added.
While the match proved challenging for the Ferns, Nweke reflected on the game as a learning opportunity.
“I’m just so, so proud [of] the way we stood out. We responded really well in that fourth quarter... but this game, as a result, is a testament to the success of our previous three games,” she said.
“Being able to really give an opportunity to the wider group… and really see what it’s like [at the] international level, I’m proud to be able to do that.”
A legacy in progress
As the Silver Ferns looked ahead to the Commonwealth Games in 2026 and the Netball World Cup in 2027, Taurua remained clear-eyed about the work required to sustain their momentum.
“We know what we need to do moving forward... it’s a step forward, and we’ll see what next year brings.”
Part of this preparation involved building a dynamic shooting unit where emerging players like Walmsley and Maia Wilson could step up in Nweke’s absence.
Melbourne’s mecca of sports
With the Constellation Cup concluded, Melbourne’s focus shifted to another series of sporting events that were drawing in record numbers of Kiwis.
The upcoming Melbourne Cup Carnival promised an impressive lineup of Kiwi competitors, including four horses vying for victory in the 164th Lexus Melbourne Cup—a year boasting New Zealand's highest representation in over a decade.
Visit Victoria chief executive Brendan McClements said the influx of Kiwi athletes fuelled a surge of New Zealand visitors across the Tasman.
“We’ve had 344,000 visitors in the last 12 months—up 26% on the year before,” McClements said.
“These things are really an anchor for people to come and experience more than just that. And New Zealanders are great at making their way all around Victoria.”
The upcoming Australian Open will likely feature New Zealand’s Lulu Sun, while F1 fans hope Liam Lawson will take to the track at the Australian Grand Prix in March.
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