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Live: Australia hoping to avoid clean sweep in Constellation Cup

Live: Australia hoping to avoid clean sweep in Constellation Cup
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live Constellation Cup live updates: Australia hoping to avoid New Zealand clean sweep in Melbourne The New Zealand Silver Ferns have already won the 2026 Constellation Cup for a fourth time. They lead the series 3-0 following games in Auckland, Christchurch and Sydney. So can the Australian Diamonds hold them off and avoid a clean sweep in the final game in Melbourne?

live Constellation Cup live updates: Australia hoping to avoid New Zealand clean sweep in Melbourne The New Zealand Silver Ferns have already won the 2026 Constellation Cup for a fourth time. They lead the series 3-0 following games in Auckland, Christchurch and Sydney. So can the Australian Diamonds hold them off and avoid a clean sweep in the final game in Melbourne? Follow all the action below in our live blog. Submit a comment or question Live updates New: Filters Choose what information you see below by using filters A new world order? 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. What's on the line tonight 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. The winning moment This was the moment the Ferns realised they'd won the Constellation Cup for just the fourth time in history. Sunday's game 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. Key Event Will it be a clean sweep? Hi there, welcome back to ABC Sport's coverage of the 2026 Constellation Cup. Brittany Carter reporting for live blogging duties ahead of the fourth and final game. The Kiwi side has been so dominant throughout this trans-Tasman contest that they head into tonight's match in Melbourne with an unassailable 3-0 lead. It's the fourth time they've claimed the trophy in 16 series and just months after winning Commonwealth Games gold in Glasgow they're also on the brink of pinching the world ranking number one ranking spot from the Aussie Diamonds. SCHEDULE Game 1: Sunday 18 October, 5:40pm AEDT — Auckland New Zealand won 56-50 Game 2: Wednesday 21 October, 5:40pm AEDT — Christchurch New Zealand won 62-50 Game 3: Sunday 25 October, 4:00pm AEDT — Sydney New Zealand won 52-49 Game 4: Wednesday 28 October, 7:30pm AEDT — Melbourne [Image text:] GORDON WA ANZO CONFIENT GIRI OUNDA
Australia (LOCATION) New Zealand (LOCATION) Melbourne (LOCATION) Auckland (LOCATION) Christchurch (LOCATION) Sydney (LOCATION) the Constellation Cup (EVENT) Noeline Taurua (PERSON) World Netball's (ORG) Aussies (ORG) Netball World Cup (EVENT) Ferns (PERSON) Australian (ORG) ABC Sport's (ORG) Brittany Carter (PERSON)
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