Diamonds coach Lisa Alexander tipping Silver Ferns to return with vengeance in Constellation Cup

DISAPPOINTMENT will see the Silver Ferns “hit back hard” in the second match of the Constellation Cup but coach Lisa Alexander says her side is ready for the backlash.

\Sharni Layton defends against the Silver Ferns Te Paea Selby-Rickit during the Sydney Test.

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DISAPPOINTMENT will see the Silver Ferns “hit back hard” in the second match of the Constellation Cup in Tasmania on Wednesday but coach Lisa Alexander says her side is ready for the backlash.

The New Zealanders produced a lacklustre display in the opener of the Constellation Cup as the Diamonds hit their equal highest score against their trans-Tasman rivals in the 68-56 drubbing.

Only a final quarter surge prevented the Silver Ferns recording one of their biggest losses in recent years.

Diamonds Gretel Tippett and Silver Ferns Katrina Grant battle for possession during the Sydney game.

“I think they will hit back hard,” Alexander forecast from Launceston where the two teams will meet on Wednesday night.

“I think they were disappointed.

“They will come back with a vengeance. They will be seeking to address that. We are ready.”

Alexander wants her team to work on the back-end of each quarter with the final five minutes of play letting them down in the series opener in Sydney on Sunday.

Sharni Layton and Bailey Mes battle for the ball.

The Diamonds boss said she plans to continue sending out some of her less experienced players, including defender Jo Weston who failed to get court time in Sunday.

“We’d love to get Jo Weston out on court,” Alexander said. “She has been training extremely well.

“She’s not a debutant but we have players who are not as experienced so it’s important we enable them to get some.”

The Constellation Cup is the last international netball of the year for both the world No. 1 and No. 2 sides.

After Wednesday’s match they will head to New Zealand for the final two games of the annual series. in Auckland on Saturday and Invercargill on October 20.

Australia are the current holders of the Constellation Cup.

Diamonds supporters at the first match in Sydney won by Australia.