Netball: Black hole in schedule after Constellation Cup

Waimarama Taumanu. Photo / Getty Images

As far as dress rehearsals before the big show, the upcoming second leg of the Constellation Cup looks like one of the longest in sporting history.

The Silver Ferns and Australian Diamonds will clash three times over the next month but after the final match in Canberra (October 13) won't meet again until their (expected) duel for Commonwealth Games gold in August next year.

Other nations have improved in recent years, especially England, but the trans-Tasman teams remain the benchmark for each other. Not being exposed to their greatest foe - until they meet in a winner takes all final of a pinnacle event - presents a tricky dilemma for both camps ahead of this series.

It's the last chance to try out combinations and work out different strategies and plays before Glasgow, but also doubles as an opportunity to gain that all important psychological advantage. Do you go all out for a series win, or take the chance to experiment in the hope of a pay-off in a little less than a year?

It's perhaps more relevant to the Ferns, who still have a thin looking bench. There will be a temptation to give Cathrine Latu, Jodi Brown and Shannon Francois game time against the formidable Diamonds defence, even if it might compromise the final result.

"These are the last three games before the Commonwealth Games and they are in Australia (so) we are not going to cry a river if we wind up not being as successful as we would want," says Ferns coach Waimarama Taumanu. "We have got things that we have to improve on when we go over there and we will be working on that. It is 12 months down the track before we have to do this again."

Taumaunu still wants to win every game but is also keeping one eye on the bigger prize.

She is also aware that with the 2015 World Championships to be played in Australia, the Ferns have to reach new levels of excellence across the Tasman.

"We need to learn to be more consistent over there and win in Australia," says Taumanu. "Although I recognise that potentially that is where (the Diamonds) may get their mojo back."

You can't help but feel that New Zealand missed a great opportunity in Auckland to put a real squeeze on the Australians.

"They were coming off five successive defeats, including three at the hands of England. Another loss at Vector Arena would have put real heat on coach Lisa Alexander, especially with the extended break between the two legs of the series and may have seen someone like Jane Woodlands Thompson polishing her CV.

Instead the Ferns came up with a flat, error-ridden display, especially on attack. Australia were palpably relieved to get the victory and suddenly all seems well in the Diamonds' camp.

"It was a really gutsy performance (in Auckland)," says Alexander.

"We knew how important it was to leave (New Zealand) with at least one win under our belts," says Australian captain Laura Geitz.

"We would have loved to take two but we didn't deserve to.

"Still, that win gives us a lot of confidence heading into (the) three games back in Australia - we really want to be winning the next three at home."