Diamonds fired up for revenge over Silver Ferns in Constellation Cup

The Diamonds are using their recent humbling loss to the Silver Ferns as fuel to fire their Constellation Cup bid.

Diamonds head coach Lisa Alexander. Picture: Michael Klein

The Australian Diamonds are using their recent humbling loss to the Silver Ferns as fuel as they prepare for a crucial Constellation Cup series between netball’s two strongest nations.

“We will use that (loss) as ­supreme motivation. It will never be forgotten,” head coach Lisa Alexander told The Weekend Australian.

Australia’s best netballers faced off in Melbourne this week in a hotly contested full match simulation, their last on-court session together before flying out to New Zealand in October.

“The intensity here at training today shows that we’re really trying to rectify what was missing from that game. It’s a really timely reminder, a kick up the behind,” veteran goal shooter Caitlin Thwaites said.

A focal point for the Diamonds has been controlling the pace of play.

Australia were jumped by the Silver Ferns in the first quarter and weren’t able to arrest ­momentum during the game, which they lost by 10 goals.

Alexander has made it clear that change must be driven by her leadership team of Caitlin Bassett and Gabi Simpson, and was pleased with how they ­performed in training.

“We played a lot of patient ball today. I think Gabi particularly used her voice well, ­communicating how we want to play,” Alexander said.

It was a vital opportunity to practise together at pace for a ­Diamonds squad normally spread around the nation.

The Silver Ferns will enter the Constellation Cup with more games under their belt in preparation thanks to the three-Test Taini Jamison Trophy series against England, which New Zealand clinched 2-1 after a ­nailbiting win in Hamilton on Wednesday.

The training session was also an opportunity for Diamonds both in and out of the Test side to catch the eye of national selectors, including Alexander, still searching for the right list ahead of the 2018 Commonwealth Games.

Magpies captain and two-time Diamond of the year Madi Robinson was a surprise omission from the updated Constellation Cup team unveiled this week.

The national coach is working closely with those currently on the fringes of Diamonds ­selection, and noted that she had sat down with NSW Swifts vice-captain Paige Hadley before this week’s training session to specifically go through what the young midcourter needs to do to be ­selected.

That search for options drove a heavy rotation of players through the Diamonds’ Quad Series matches, but Alexander says that she expects the team to firm up through the Constellation Cup.

Bassett is out for revenge, and suggested that fans will have something to look for in the first Test on October 5.

“We’ll be coming out there with a bit of fire in the belly after the last game. And there’s nothing better, because New Zealand have shown us their hand,” she said.