The world No.1 ranked Australian Diamonds start their gold medal defence on Saturday night with a big clash against the rising Tonga Tala. Follow LIVE

Led by former Firebird Hulita Veve and bolstered by the strength of Super Netball star Uneeq Palavi, the Tala are expected to push the Diamonds in a physical first test.

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STARTING SEVEN: GS Garbin, GA Austin, WA Watson, C Moloney, WD Price, GD Weston, GK Bruce

It’s been a disastrous Commonwealth Games debut for Tonga as they stare down a 51-19 deficit while concerns are held for injured star Uneeq Palavi.

Palavi had done the bulk of the Tala’s scoring against Australia before appearing to injure her finger late in the second term and heading straight to the bench.

“This is not what you want to see – certainly the star of the show for Tonga,” Aussie netball great Cath Cox said.

“Grabs the hand straight away, Palavi.

“Palavi, the top goal scorer for Tonga in the World Cup.

“She was the fourth highest for all the shooters in the World Cup so they need her on the court.”

The injury summed up a horror start as the Diamonds simply ran riot to open up their 32-goal margin.

Cox joked Australia were “almost leaving trails of fire behind them” in the second term as they transitioned at will.

But Tonga were their own worst enemy with multiple centre breaks and wayward passes coughing up easy ball that the Diamonds cashed in from.

Earlier, Australia were off to a red-hot start in Glasgow on Saturday as attackers Kiera Austin and Sophie Garbin did as they pleased.

Tonga may have trailed by just one goal 5 minutes into the opening term, but the Diamonds then took over.

Austin (9/9, five goal assists) did as she pleased while Garbin (14/16) held strong under the post.

“She is just running around free as a bird,” Diamonds great Kim Green said of Austin.

“At the moment it’s just way too easy.”

At the first change, it was Australia leading 23-12.

DIAMONDS WELCOME THE PRESSURE

Captain Liz Watson believes Australia are raring to go in their gold medal defence.

“As a Diamond you always want to win and are expected to win – that’s what we’re going to do,” she said.

“We’ve had great success in the past … (but) it’s a new group.

“It’s a privilege to be number one in the world.”

The Diamonds are aiming for a remarkable fifth Commonwealth Games gold – and to go back-to-back for just the second time in their history.

FERNS START WITH BIG WIN

Australia’s rivals New Zealand opened their Comm Games account with a comfortable 30-goal win over host nation Scotland.

Th Silver Ferns won every quarter on their way to a 74-44 victory in the first match of the tournament.

Grace Nweke (29/30) and Amelia Walmsley (28/34) both shone in their half a game at goal shooter while Catherine Hall, who was under an injury cloud heading into this Commonwealth Games, was the only Fern not to take to the court in the win.

Grace Nweke starred in the first half for New Zealand.Source: Getty Images

“They got a bit of a shock in that first quarter,” triple international Cat Tuivaiti said.

“This Scottish side they really put up a fight for a large portion of this game.

“Scotland were keeping up with them, but where they were let down was that accuracy.”

Super Netball premiership winner Kate Heffernan simply picked up where she left off for the Thunderbirds with four midcourt intercepts – equal best to teammate Kelly Jackson. Jackson finished with seven gains in total, one ahead of Carys Stythe.

“We improved throughout the game – hopefully more improvement going forward,” Ferns skipper Karin Burger said post-match.

Thistle Emma Barrie led the way for Scotland with 20 goals, but her side finished at just 75% accuracy in the loss.