Changed Silver Ferns to face Australia

The Silver Ferns have made selection tweaks in each of the area of the court for the Constellation Cup netball series against Australia.

New Zealand have made three changes to face Australia in the Constellation Cup series but there's still no place for former captain Casey Kopua.

Coach Noeline Taurua made selection tweaks to each area of the court for the four-Test series starting in Brisbane on Sunday.

Shooter Maia Wilson gets a chance to add to her seven Tests after replacing Ameliaranne Ekanasio, whose accuracy was faulty during last month's Quad Series - won by the Diamonds.

Mid-courter Erikana Pedersen and defender Sulu Fitzpatrick were reward for sharp form domestically and replace Elisapeta Toeava and Karin Burger, who both had limited minutes during the Quad Series.

Veteran goal keeper Casey Kopua, who came out of retirement when Taurua was reinstated, remains sidelined by a foot ailment.

Two other injured key defenders missing are Temalisi Fakahokotau (knee) and Kelly Jury (shoulder).

Taurua wants to focus on further improvement, having made strides last month in her first series since replacing Janine Southby.

The Silver Ferns' final match resulted in a competitive 60-55 loss to Australia in Melbourne.

Taurua said stopping Australia from winning the Constellation Cup for a sixth straight time will be a steep task.

Her target is at least one Test win while continuing to trial combinations in the lead-up to next year's World Cup in England.

"There are limited opportunities to see how our players perform against the best in the world, but we also have to be mindful that we want to build on the performances that the Silver Ferns have produced so far," Taurua said.

Captain Laura Langman will play her 145th Test in Brisbane, equalling the New Zealand record held by shooting great Irene van Dyk.

The series also comprises Tests in Townsville, Hamilton and Wellington.

Silver Ferns: Laura Langman (capt), Aliyah Dunn, Te Paea Selby-Rickit, Maia Wilson, Maria Folau, Gina Crampton, Erikana Pedersen, Sam Sinclair, Michaela Sokolich-Beatson, Katrina Grant, Jane Watson, Sulu Fitzpatrick.


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Source: AAP


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