New Zealand have the world champion Diamonds on the ropes as the Constellation Cup heads into the Australian leg of the series.

The Silver Ferns have been polished, disciplined and unstoppable in the opening two games, making Constellation Cup history along the way with their first back-to-back double digit victories over Australia.

So where is it all going wrong for the Diamonds?

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We take a look at the Talking Points from the 63-52 Game Two loss.

WHAT’S THE FUTURE PLAN FOR WA?

It’s not often we see Aussie skipper Liz Watson head to the bench. But for the second consecutive match, the Diamonds’ attack end stalled and appeared disjointed.

But unlike Game 1 where both shooters went to the bench, this time it was Watson and goal attack Kiera Austin.

And the new-look attack end, with Sophie Garbin still at goal shooter, Sophie Dwyer at goal attack and Paige Hadley at wing attack only ended up -2 goals for their half of court time played together.

But unfortunately for Australia the damage had already been done.

“It was just nice to see a mix up in that position,” ex-Diamonds skipper Kim Green said.

“We’ve seen Liz Watson for a very long time … not saying she’s past her time at all – she’s fantastic. But it is nice to see something different from the Australian Diamonds.

“You need to be able to change and mix up what you are doing at any stage.

“It gave an opportunity for Hadley to step in and gave the opportunity for everyone else around to stand up and not rely on Liz Watson to do all the work.”

But while Hadley has long been a wonderful servant of Australian netball – she is already 32.

So what’s the plan at the 2026 Commonwealth Games and 2027 Netball World Cup?

Former Silver Fern Cat Tuivaiti says it’s time to see Georgie Horjus in a Diamonds’ dress.

“I think she would offer something different at wing attack,” she told Fox Netball.

“I know she’s small and I know she’s inexperienced … but you can’t find someone that small and she might be able to whip across that circle and get on the circle edge.

“She’s got a nice touch on the feed … I’d like to see it.”

And nobody would agree more with that statement than Horjus’ biggest fan in Cath Cox.

But Horjus remains uncapped – despite being named in both the England Series and Constellation Cup squads.

Now’s the time for Stacey Marinkovich to finally make the call and bring two-time premiership winner Horjus into the 12.

THE RULE CHANGE SAVING AUSTRALIA

In four-Test Constellation Cups gone by, drawn series have been decided by a goal countback.

Considering Australia have been blown out of the water by historic 14 and 11-goal demolitions, the Diamonds would have to set a new record if they were to overcome a 25-goal deficit – even if they can secure the two wins on home soil.

Enter new Constellation Cup rules.

In a new initiative unveiled for the 2024 Con Cup series, instead of a goal differential determining a winner … this year will be decided by a Series Extra Time to be played at the conclusion of the Fourth Test.

And luckily for Australia, that Test is held in Melbourne.

So should Australia avoid their worst-case scenario and drop the Perth Test on Sunday, they will head into next Wednesday’s final Test knowing they just need a win and then it’ll be anyone’s game in that deciding extra time.

“New Zealand know their record on the Australia leg the last couple of years has not been good,” Fox Netball’s Cath Cox said.

“They haven’t been able to get a win up the last two seasons.

“This is a trip to Perth – we’re not just talking to Sydney which is a three-hour flight, it’s another five hours. You add to the fact you’ve got exhausted players, sore bodies … some are probably emotional. This will be a real challenge.”

Diamonds star Sophie Dwyer said confidence remained high – especially if the series heads to the extra time decider.

“We’re going back home and going and playing back in Australia,” she said.

“If we’re going to have to bring it to those two games … and that extra little fifth game then that’s what we’re going to do.

“We’re not defeated yet.”

Helping the Diamonds’ cause is the fact New Zealand have not won in Australia since 2019.

THE SISTER ACT THAT COULD CEMENT ARYANG’S SPOT

Sunday Aryang looms as arguably the most important piece of Stacey Marinkovich’s defensive puzzle.

At just 23 years of age, she’s the future of the Diamonds defence – but where is her best position?

Aryang rose into Aussie ranks as a goal defence, but it’s her work in wing defence that is really catching the eye.

And now her sister Ruth’s rise to the West Coast Fever is set to propel Aryang even further on the WD path given the Perth outfit will be stacked with defensive talent for 2025.

Already with internationals Fran Williams and Kadie-Ann Dehaney on the roster, Aryang had been playing more minutes out in wing defence.

Her sister Ruth takes the spot of midcourter Kelsey Browne at the Fever for 2025 – despite the fact she’s a goal keeper.

That fact alone is forecasting a more permanent midcourt shift for the older Aryang – and that could work in the Diamonds’ favour.

“Sometimes it doesn’t necessarily record a stat on the sheet – taking your opponent out of it,” Aussie great Cath Cox said of Aryang.

“But she’s forced that change in wing attack a couple of times.”

But is it enough for Aryang to hold her spot should a predicted defensive shake up come to get Rudi Ellis into the 12 – and potentially try and take down Kiwi star Grace Nweke?

“It’s a huge call – you can’t take Aryang out of the picture,” Kim Green told Fox Netball.

“She plays too well in that wing defence position. So it’s out of (Courtney) Bruce, (Sarah) Klau and (Jo) Weston.

“Three players that have been there for a very long time and have put their hand up for a very long time. I think Ellis will be able to bring something a little bit different.

“You’ve got to remember we are not getting ball back right now as Aussie Diamonds.

“They need to switch it up. They’d be nuts not to bring (Ellis) into the squad.

“We were discussing probably Weston would be the one that probably goes out.”

Ex-Silver Fern Cat Tuivaiti said she could see Aryang and Sarah Klau holding their spots in the 12.

“You’d be pretty silly in my opinion to move Klau out. I think she offers something a little bit different at the back. She’s also big and strong,” she said.

It’s just another huge call for coach Stacey Marinkovich to make ahead of the do-or-die Perth Test after admitting her side “got punished” in New Zealand.

SILVER FERNS SUFFOCATE … SO DWYER GETS HER CHANCE

The Diamonds had no answer for the Kelly Jackson-Karin Burger combo in game one.

And history repeated in game two with Jackson’s reach almost instantly having an impact on the mindset of Sophie Garbin and Kiera Austin.

The duo repeatedly avoided going to post and pushed passes that were picked off – with Jackson and Burger combining for four gains in the first half alone, and six further deflections.

Once again Austin found herself heading to the bench, leaving young Sophie Dwyer in just her 14th Test cap to try and steer the ship.

And Fox Netball’s Cat Tuivaiti liked what she saw from the Dwyer-Garbin partnership.

“I think Dwyer is actually bringing out the best in Garbin,” she praised.

“A well placed ball? No one can touch her (Garbin). I think Dwyer is really helping her shine.”

Catherine Cox said Dwyer was putting herself forward as an option to start in Test 3.

“Sophie Dwyer, you keep playing like that, you won’t be an impact player – you’ll be in the starting 7,” she said.

“There’s no reason that she can’t be.

“Loved that she was comfortable going to post from anywhere – we see that domestically from her.

“She’s direct, she’s accurate … only one turnover across that half of the game but also the best defensively for them.

“She really has extended her game – we don’t often see that from her. The fact that she’s willing to get out there and do the workload out in the middle and get some ball back for the Diamonds is exactly what they needed.”

So we give Dwyer a big tick – especially given the fact she had more gains than any other Diamond to go with her 12 goals, 10 goal assists and only one turnover.

But Dwyer and Garbin will have to find another gear to stop the all-conquering Ferns’ smothering defence.

“Karin Burger and Kelly Jackson inside that circle compliment each other really well,” Cat Tuivaiti praised.

“(Jackson) makes it really hard for the feeders to know where to put the ball.

“Karin Burger is the best in the Silver Ferns dress at tagging a player – and dare I say play like an Australian. She knows how to stick on the body, but she also knows when to come off.

“The combination between those two I think they really know how to turn the ball over – or make sure that you turn the ball over yourself.

“We’ve got Kelly Jackson out the back not only irritating the in-circle shooters, but she’s really putting a lot of hesitation in on the feeders and what they can see and what they do want to pass the ball too.

“That fear is very visible.

“It’s a combination of them doing their job on the inside and making sure that nothing looks easy.”

By full time, Jackson and Burger had a whopping eight gains between them – eight of New Zealand’s 10 in total – with a further nine deflections to their name.

AMAZING GRACE FAREWELLS HER NZ HOME

Grace Nweke has officially farewelled New Zealand as a Silver Fern – for now.

Nweke has signed for Super Netball side the NSW Swifts in 2025, opting to turn her back on NZ’s ANZ Premiership competition and as a result of Netball NZ’s strict rules, her prized Black Dress.

Spending her entire career at the Mystics, Auckland has been home for Nweke.

So it was fitting her final match as a Fern in New Zealand came at her home court.

Nweke was once again outstanding as she beat both Diamonds Sarah Klau and Courtney Bruce.

Fox Netball’s Catherine Cox and Cat Tuivaiti were left impressed by Nweke’s ability to remain composed despite the pressure she was put under – especially given her young age.

“That’s the Courtney Bruce effect – if she’s not getting ball, the other thing she’s quite effective at is getting under the skin of the shooters,” Tuivaiti said.

“Grace Nweke has shown a pretty stern game face – especially in the first game. She didn’t look like she could be rocked.

“She is absolutely phenomenal with ball in hand.”

“It shows a real level of maturity,” Cox added.

“Most players when they are copping that from Courtney Bruce turn to water. And she took it.”

Nweke is already rapidly rising as New Zealand’s greatest ever shooter – and remains just 22 years of age.

“She is without doubt a force to be reckoned with” Cox praised.

“You can only imagine how good she’s going to be with a domestic season in the SSN against the best in the world every single week.

“She’s just shot her fifth game of 50 goals plus and she’s done that in just 35 Tests. Irene van Dyk got I think 11 games where she shot over 50 but that was over the course of 145 Tests.

“(Grace) is doing it against the best in the world. It’s not playing against Uganda or anyone else – this is the Aussie Diamonds.”

Game 3 of the Constellation Cup will be held in Perth on Sunday.