Despite winning Commonwealth Games gold and
trumping the Australian Diamonds 56-50 in the opening test in Auckland, New Zealand remain number two in World Netball’s rankings.
The Diamonds sit top with a rating of 209, with the Ferns on 203 and the third-placed England Roses way back on 185.
A 4-0 sweep will ensure New Zealand topples Australia, who have sat top since 2013. The rankings will next be updated on December 1.
The Silver Ferns are in Christchurch for tonight’s second test, having won their past 11 games against the Diamonds in Aotearoa.
Vice-captain Kate Heffernan, who contributed 15 feeds and a deflection across a full 60-minute effort in test one, said they want a series sweep.
“We know that if we can win this 4-0, we can get that number one ranking, which we believe we’re very much good enough to do so. So it is in the back of the mind, but we’re taking one game at a time, and the main priority is getting the wins on home soil so we can go over to Aussie with some momentum.
“We want to get the Constellation Cup back in New Zealand. We won it in 2024, and that was unreal. Last year was disappointing; we just missed out on retaining it.”
Kate Heffernan has vocalised the Silver Ferns’ ambition to sweep the Constellation Cup 4-0. Photo / Andrew Cornaga / Photosport
Coach Dame Noeline Taurua said they are all aware of the rankings situation.
“We know we need to win four games for us to be number one, three will be even and anything less will be the same. When I first came in in 2018, we were number four, so we’ve edged every year to be closer. It is definitely in the KPIs, but I know if we can’t get it here, definitely it’ll be all on next year.”
The true test of the Ferns’ mettle will come when they travel to Sydney and Melbourne for the series’ second leg. New Zealand have won just one of their past nine games in Australia, with their last win in 2024.
Four of the last six Constellation Cup series have finished 2-2. A drawn series this year will be decided on goal percentage. Last year’s extra time period, won 12-11 by Australia, has been scrapped after Diamonds defender Sunday Aryang ruptured her ACL.
In test one, New Zealand were led by a defensive masterclass from goal keep Kelly Jackson, who finished with eight gains and, alongside captain Karin Burger, caused numerous miscommunications between the Diamonds attackers.
The series takes place while the wait for information about next year’s private domestic competition rolls on, with Silver Ferns defender Parris Mason expressing frustration.
Nathan Limm has been a journalist with Newstalk ZB and the NZ Herald since 2020. He covered the Netball World Cup in Cape Town in 2023, hosts The Big League Podcast and commentates rugby and netball for Gold Sport.
Listen to live commentary of the Constellation Cup Newstalk ZB Sport and iHeartRadio.