Live: Australia hoping to avoid clean sweep in Constellation Cup

Amy Parmenter also told the ABC that the Diamonds had bigger priorities this series than winning the trophy. The group believes they’re in a good position after trialling different combinations and playing styles for next year’s World Cup.

“100 per cent. We’ve got a camp in January and really, that’s about it before the actual lead in camp in July or August, so there’s really not a lot of time.” Parmenter said.

“This is our last international game and you have to have that depth. You just don’t know [what can happen in the next Super Netball season] before that World Cup.

“It’s really exciting that we are getting a lot of young talent out there and setting ourselves up well I think.”

With all due respect to Amy, I’m not sure fans would agree.

On Tuesday, Australian players Kiera Austin and Amy Parmenter appeared on ABC News Breakfast. They touched on the pressure mounting on their head coach Stacey Marinkovich to keep her job beyond her current contract that expires at the end of 2027. And were also asked if the Diamonds were unfairly held to a higher standard than other national sporting teams.

 As we’ve been banging on about all series, not only was the Constellation Cup there for the taking but so is the world number one ranking.

Silver Ferns head coach Noeline Taurua said she thought her team needed to win all four games to move from second position into World Netball’s top spot, but according to people much better at maths than I, a 3-1 series victory is already enough for them to do that.

Still, I’m sure they’d love to be absolutely sure and win all four matches to cement the position. The global governing body is next due to update its list on December 1st.

New Zealand could do something they haven’t done in 16 years.

Since the series began in 2010 it has only ever been clean swept twice (2014, 2017) and never by the Silver Ferns.

There’s pride at stake for the Aussies, who will do their best to try and prevent that historic defeat. But the results aren’t looking great so far for them ahead of a home Netball World Cup next August in Sydney. This is their final international game before the major tournament and their last chance to build some confidence.

This was the moment the Ferns realised they’d won the Constellation Cup for just the fourth time in history.

 In case you missed it, a reminder of what happened in game three in Sydney. The Diamonds were the better team for the majority of the game before being overthrown in the final quarter.

In front on the scoreboard 41-39 at three-quarter time in a gripping contest, Australian fans were starting to hope before the Silver Ferns rattled off seven straight goals to begin the final quarter and wrangle control of the game.

It was a frantic end to the match, the physicality went up a notch and although the Diamonds fought hard to level the score 47-all with five minutes left to play, the Silver Ferns were more disciplined defensively and slicker in transition. They treasured any possession they won back and ultimately finished the match on top 52-49. You can read our report on the match below.