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Live sport on SN this weekend‘We’re a new team now’: Silver Ferns embrace fresh start against Australia
Sport Nation • October 16th, 2026 11:10 am
Silver Ferns v Diamonds in 2025 Constellation Cup | Photo: Jeremy Ward/Photosport
The Silver Ferns and Australian Diamonds will meet for the first time since October 2025 when they open the Constellation Cup in Auckland on Saturday - a long wait made more unusual by the fact they never faced each other at this year’s Commonwealth Games.
The Ferns left Glasgow with gold, while Australia’s campaign took a shock turn with a semi-final defeat to Jamaica. Now the rivals meet again, with both sides bringing fresh questions into the first of four Tests.
Silver Fern midcourter Mila Reuelu-Buchanan said the Ferns had been eager for another chance to take on Australia after missing the matchup at the Games and falling short in last year's series.
Mila Reuelu-Buchanan | Photo: Jayne Russell/Photosport
“We're pumped to play Australia. We obviously missed the opportunity to play against them in the Commonwealth Games,” Reuelu-Buchanan told Sport Nation’s Millsy & Guy.
“We know that they'll be coming out firing but also we take a lot of confidence coming off the back end of comm games and going into this challenge.”
Australia’s Commonwealth Games campaign was affected by injuries, leaving its revised combinations less predictable than usual.
Reuelu-Buchanan said the Ferns were preparing for the Diamonds to bring different options into the series with “potential for them to show cards that they haven't showed because usually they are pretty set on their starting seven."
Maia Wilson on Silver Ferns carrying 5 shooters for Constellation Cup | Sport Nation Mornings
But the Ferns have also had time to reshape their own combinations. Reuelu-Buchanan said the squad had used its preparation camp to build connections, adding new and experienced players to the mix.
“We're a new team now and that's what's exciting about this new group.
“We've been in camp for almost two weeks so we've had the opportunity to really form the different connections, obviously adding in other players into the 12 with the inclusion of Te Paea (Selby-Rickitand) her experience as well as Peta (Toeava) and her experience too."
Listen to the full interview below:
