THE 2023 Netball Constellation Cup is set to get underway this week, with Australia looking to maintain the cup. In the build up, Rookie Me Central will be taking a look at each of the teams competing at the tournament and analyse their potential at this tournament.

In today’s team preview, we are looking at the reigning Constellation Cup champions, Australia. The Diamonds have been on smooth sailing over the last two years, winning back their silverware and stamping their place as the world number ones.

They would like to conclude 2023 (games worth silverware) with a multitude of wins over New Zealand and retain the Constellation Cup. The last time the Diamonds and the Silver Ferns went head to head was a close encounter as the Diamonds took the win by two goals at the January Quad Series where the Diamonds eventually also took home that trophy.

Coming into this Constellation Cup, the Diamonds are wanting to cement their world number one position and keep the cup in their cabinet. They are the current champions of all tournaments they compete in, and they hope to keep this up.

This is the penultimate test series before the Diamonds face South Africa soon, and no doubt eyes will be on some players to prove their selection was the correct choice. Now that the Diamonds have reclaimed the World Cup and gold at the Commonwealth Games, they would like to keep that momentum in the next few test series’ to come.

The only changes this year from the previous is the inclusion of Sophie Dwyer and Paige Hadley, and the omissions of Ruby Bakewell-Doran, Amy Parmenter and Maddy Proud. Proud was unavailable for selection due to having knee surgery in the offseason. Steph Fretwell is also not included in this international campaign as she announced her retirement from international netball after the World Cup that just passed.

Australia Squad

Sunday Aryang, Kiera Austin, Courtney Bruce, Sophie Dwyer, Sophie Garbin, Paige Hadley, Sarah Klau, Cara Koenen, Kate Moloney, Jamie-Lee Price, Liz Watson (captain), Jo Weston