Still in the early stages of her comeback, Tutaia's training load is being carefully managed, with the star on limited minutes. She said is likely she will be worked into the line-up over the second half of the series.
"I have my goals and what matches I'm being targeted for, but it's highly likely this Sunday [I won't be there]," said Tutaia.
"Even though I am back on court I am still rehabbing because bone bruising really takes about 3-4 months off your feet...but it was really important for me to get back out on court before the end of 2016."
The presence of Tutaia and fellow veteran Anna Harrison, who also sat out last month's Quad Series and three tests against Jamaica, back in the fold has upped the intensity in the New Zealand camp with players now battling not only for court time, but a place in the 12-strong match day team.
Ferns captain Katrina Grant hopes the increased internal competition in the team will provide the extra edge the team needs to break the team's four-year Constellation Cup title drought. New Zealand hasn't held the trophy since their maiden win in 2012, but came agonising close to wresting the silverware away from the Diamonds last year.
The Ferns pulled off a stunning 58-47 victory in Waimarama Taumaunu's final test in charge to draw the 2015 series 2-2, but Australia just managed to hold on to the trophy on goal countback.
"I think that competitiveness is really good for us. Everyone is scrambling for a bib and a place in that test line-up on Sunday and it has added extra energy into the group," said Grant.
"The Constellation Cup means a lot to us, especially in a year when there are no other pinnacle events, and we haven't had it for a long time so we really want it."
The two sides last met four weeks ago in the Quad Series decider in what proved a handy preview of what to expect from the two sides in the upcoming series.
The Ferns pushed the world champions hard, and even led for sustained periods of the match, before Australia surged ahead over the dying stages of the game as the New Zealand side wilted under the pressure.
Ferns coach Janine Southby said that experience has galvanised her thinking on what the team need to work on.
"It was a combination of things - firstly a lack of time together. They haven't had that time together to build that really innate trust and knowledge of one another so when you put the ball in you know they're going to go in that direction. I think we're still missing that a little bit," said Southby.
"And also at times we didn't execute our basics under pressure - not driving really hard into the ball, not doing the work to get free and clear of the defender. Those are things we need to do every second of the game. So for us, it's about being really disciplined in what we need to do and doing it for a full 60 minutes."
Southby will name her match day team of 12 tomorrow afternoon following the Ferns' final training hit-out.
Constellation Cup
Silver Ferns v Australia
Game 1: Sunday, 5.30pm - Qudos Bank Arena, Sydney.
Game 2: October 12, 10.00pm - Silverdome, Launceston.
Game 3: October 15, 7.45pm - Vector Arena, Auckland.
Game 4: October 20, 7.45pm - Stadium Southland, Invercargill.
Constellation Cup history
2015: New Zealand 2-2 Australia (Diamonds win series on goal percentage)
2014: New Zealand 0-4 Australia
2013: New Zealand 1-4 Australia
2012: New Zealand 2-1 Australia
2011: New Zealand 2-3 Australia
2010: New Zealand 1-2 Australia
