Silver Ferns selected for 2026 Constellation Cup
The Silver Ferns squads for the 2026 Constellation Cup and the three-match series against the Net Blacks NZ Men's team, both part of the WM New Zealand Netball Series.
The Constellation Cup team retains the core of the side that claimed Commonwealth Games gold in Glasgow, where the Silver Ferns went through the tournament unbeaten before defeating Jamaica 56-48 in the final.
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Te Paea Selby-Rickit, Peta Toeava and Parris Mason are the additions from outside the Commonwealth Games squad, offering further depth to the team.
Three changes follow for the Net Blacks series in November, with Tactix defender Laura Balmer in line for a potential Silver Ferns debut, alongside the return of shooter Aliyah Dunn and midcourter Tayla Earle.
The only omission is Catherine Hall, who suffered an ACL injury at the Games, which could rule her out for up to a year.
Three changes will follow for the three-match series against the Net Blacks (the NZ Men's team) in November.
Tactix defender Laura Balmer is in line for a potential Silver Ferns debut, alongside the return of shooter Aliyah Dunn and midcourter Tayla Earle.
Silver Ferns head coach Dame Noeline Taurua said the two teams reflected both the immediate challenge of the Constellation Cup and the longer build towards Netball World Cup.
"The Constellation Cup is always a really tough series. Australia are the number one ranked team in the world and we have a huge amount of respect for them, the quality they bring and the history between our two teams. We know what it takes to compete against Australia and we're expecting another fiercely contested series," Taurua said.
"For us, it's about building on the team and combinations that performed so strongly at the Commonwealth Games. The additions of Te Paea, Peta and Parris further strengthen those combinations and give us different options across the court."
Taurua said the series against the Net Blacks allows them to give more playing opportunities to other players, in what will be a challenging and physical series.
"It's also another opportunity to grow the experience of athletes in this environment, test combinations and continue building the depth we need as we head into a World Cup year.
"We were back in camp last week for the first time since the Commonwealth Games and it was great to see the energy and hunger within the group. We're looking forward to the challenge of both series and can't wait to get back out on court."
The Silver Ferns open the Constellation Cup against the Diamonds at Spark Arena in Auckland on Sunday 18 October. The Diamonds head into the series as the world's top-ranked side and reigning Cup holders, but have not won a Test on New Zealand soil since 2021.
Silver Ferns Constellation Cup team
Shooters: Georgia Heffernan, Grace Nweke, Martina Salmon, Te Paea Selby-Rickit, Amelia Walmsley
Midcourters: Maddy Gordon, Kate Heffernan, Kimiora Poi, Mila Reuelu-Buchanan, Peta Toeava
Defenders: Karin Burger, Kelly Jackson, Parris Mason, Carys Stythe
Silver Ferns series v Net Blacks (NZ men's team)
Shooters: Aliyah Dunn, Grace Nweke, Martina Salmon, Te Paea Selby-Rickit, Amelia Walmsley
Midcourters: Tayla Earle, Maddy Gordon, Kimiora Poi, Peta Toeava
Defenders: Laura Balmer, Karin Burger, Kelly Jackson, Parris Mason, Carys Stythe
