GIANTS Jamie-Lee Price and Caitlin Bassett, along with 11 other of Australia’s best netballers, have been hard at work in preparation for the 2019 Constellation Cup.
The Constellation Cup, a four-match series between Australia and New Zealand, showcases one of the greatest rivalries in world netball and in women’s sport.
It was this time last year that Price joined the Diamonds Squad in the second leg of the series and made her debut, becoming Diamond #176.
“I’m very excited for my first proper Constellation Cup and I can’t believe it’s been 12 months already,” Price said.
“The past 12 months my game has changed a lot.
“Playing predominantly in centre this season for GIANTS has really helped me improve and grow the attacking role in my game.
“We had a quick break at the end of Super Netball – which was needed after the big year that we had – but I’m feeling refreshed, been working hard and ready to get revenge on the Kiwis.”
The last time the Australian Diamonds and the New Zealand Silver Ferns met was in the gold medal match at the 2019 Netball World Cup in England. The Silver Ferns took the bragging rights with a heartbreaking one-goal victory.
“We want some revenge,” Price said with conviction.
“It hurt a lot to lose by one goal in the grand final.
“I think they’re playing a really patient game at the moment, so we just have to focus on our game and get ball off them.”
In discussing the changes to the squad from the World Cup and last encounter, Price acknowledged the change in the squad, highlighting a defensive-heavy squad.
“I think it’s good because defence wins game,” she said.
“I think it was really obvious in the World Cup grand final that we didn’t win enough ball, so it’s going to be very important and something we will be working on.”
Price has experience playing in both nations, having lived in New Zealand for 12 years and beginning her elite netball career across the ditch.
Yet to play for the Diamonds in Australia, Price is keen to wear the green and gold in front of home crowds.
“I’m so excited to play on home soil, especially in Sydney at Qudos Bank Arena, which is going to be extra special being one of GIANTS’ home courts.”
The team departed for New Zealand today and will spend the next couple of days settling and working on combinations.
The first game of the four-match series is this Sunday, 13th October, at Horncastle Arena in Christchurch and can be watched live on Channel 9 or via the Netball Live App.
Tickets to the match in Sydney are available via Ticketek.
Matches:
Horncastle Christchurch – Sunday 13 October
Spark Arena, Auckland – Wednesday 16 October
Qudos Bank Arena, Sydney – Sunday 20 October
RAC Arena, Perth – Sunday 27 October
