Live: Diamonds look to bounce back from Constellation Cup loss to NZ

Australia is hoping to rebound from a six-goal loss to the Silver Ferns in the second game of their Constellation Cup series after losing the Auckland opener by six goals.If the Silver Ferns win all four matches of the series they are expected to dethrone Australia from its number one world ranking for the first time since 2013.Follow live.Wed 21 Oct 2026 at 5:16pmWed 21 Oct 2026 at 5:16pmStarting 7sAUSTRALIAOh my goodness. Four changes to Australia's starting list. After a solid 30 minutes to finish Game 1 it makes sense that Sophie Garbin would be rewarded with the GS bib. Take a look at that back line though ... Without Jamie-Lee Price available, they've slotted Kate Moloney into wing defence. Sarah Klau and new Diamond Jessie Grenvold have been propelled into the starting line-up too, taking the spots of Matilda Garrett and Courtney Bruce. That's a huge opportunity for Grenvold in just her second Test. They finished the match together on Sunday. I don't think I'm alone in worrying about this midcourt again. As we've mentioned, Liz Watson didn't have her best outing in Auckland so let's see if she can improve with another run at centre tonight.GS – Sophie GarbinGA – Kiera AustinWA – Georgie HorjusC – Liz WatsonWD – Kate MoloneyGD – Sarah KlauGK – Jessie GrenvoldSUBS: Courtney Bruce, Sophie Dwyer, Matilda Garrett, Amy Parmenter, Donnell WallamNEW ZEALANDWow. The Silver Ferns also being brave, listing Peta Toeava at wing attack. Outside the game-day team one day, in a starting position the next. Most sides would stick to the winning combination that did so well in that first outing. Instead they're not afraid to mix it up. That's a confident move.GS – Grace NwekeGA – Georgia HeffernanWA – Peta ToeavaC – Maddy GordonWD – Kate HeffernanGD – Karin BurgerGK – Kelly JacksonSUBS: Parris Mason, Mila Reuelu-Buchanan, Ta Paea Selby-Rickit, Carys Stythe, Amelia WalmsleyWed 21 Oct 2026 at 4:59pmWed 21 Oct 2026 at 4:59pmTeam changesDonnell Wallam warms up ahead of a Diamonds game. (Getty Images: Albert Perez)AUSTRALIAThe good news for Diamonds fans is that vice-captain Kate Moloney returns to the line-up after recovering from the finger laceration that kept her out of Game 1. Without Moloney in the team, there was a midcourt shuffle. Captain Liz Watson filled her spot at centre and Georgie Horjus was given the wing attack bib. They lacked punch up the middle and Watson ended the game on the bench. It wasn't ideal.Many — including us — thought Jamie-Lee Price would have been a better choice to start at centre. Price had a cracking Super Netball season in that position with the Melbourne Mavericks. The bad news is, she's unavailable tonight with a calf injury.The other change is goal shooter Donnell Wallam replaces Cara Koenen in the team. Wallam has never played against New Zealand before and last played for the Diamonds at the 2024 Nations Cup. Last year she was only an invitee at camp and missed out on a national contract, so this is a huge boost for her career! Wallam is the tallest shooting option for Australia at 193cm tall and definitely has the X-Factor. With a basketball background, she has a unique playing style. Koenen was shaky throughout the Constellation Cup opener and finished with 77 per cent accuracy, so it make sense to try something different.Peta Toeava plays for New Zealand in the 2022 Constellation Cup. (AAP: Aaron Gillions)NEW ZEALANDJust one change for the Silver Ferns. Head coach Noeline Taurua has omitted Kimiora Poi (30+ caps) and added Peta Toeava (15 caps). It's a bold choice, as Poi was part of the team's gold-medal-winning Commonwealth Games team. She started in wing attack in Game 1 and played 38 minutes but Taurua has also spoken about trying to find the balance throughout this series of giving opportunity to less experienced players in preparation for next year's World Cup and winning each game. Toeava has a brilliant connection with Grace Nweke that developed during their time playing at the Northern Mystics. Giving that connection more time to build at an international level could be beneficial down the track.Wed 21 Oct 2026 at 4:26pmWed 21 Oct 2026 at 4:26pmGame 1 resultHead coach Stacey Marinkovich is hoping for a better start from her team in game two, after Australia fell behind by as many as 15 goals in Auckland and only managed to claw the scoreboard back to 56-50 in the final quarter once the opposition brought on their bench players.The biggest area they struggled was in the goal circle. Whether it was feeding the shooters or going for goal, the Silver Ferns were continuously able to steal ball and intimidate using their long arms over the shot. Marinkovich trialled almost every shooting option she had except running Georgie Horjus at GA. The pocket rocket remained at WA for the entire match. Sophie Garbin lifted Australia's accuracy when she came on after the half-time break, landing 20 of her 21 attempts.Meanwhile, defender Jessie Grenvold impressed on debut, becoming Diamond #198 when she was injected in the second quarter and topped the gain stat for her team with once intercept, four deflections and one pickup across 43 minutes of playing time. You can read more about the game at the link below.A reminder that Australia hasn't won a Test on New Zealand soil for five years. There is a serious home crowd advantage in this series, with both sides struggling to get over the line in opposition territory. Seeing as they play at different venues for each Test, it really speaks to power fans have while cheering for their team!Wed 21 Oct 2026 at 4:04pmWed 21 Oct 2026 at 4:04pmWednesday night netballHiya! Thanks for tuning into ABC Sport's live coverage of the Constellation Cup. Brittany Carter here for game two, which is expected to start with the first centre pass at 5:40pm AEDT. How nice to have some mid-week netty! Here is the state of play in case you missed the result on Sunday night. The series will be decided by goal aggregate if it is tied 2-all after the four Tests.SCHEDULEGame 1: Sunday 18 October, 5:40pm AEDT — AucklandNew Zealand won 56-50Game 2: Wednesday 21 October, 5:40pm AEDT — ChristchurchGame 3: Sunday 25 October, 4:00pm AEDT — SydneyGame 4: Wednesday 28 October, 7:30pm AEDT — Melbourne