Dates settled for Constellation Cup

Dates for the Silver Ferns’ Constellation Cup defence have been confirmed.

They will face Australia in the annual four-test series in October.

Australia will host the opening two matches.

The first of those will be in Brisbane on October 13, before facing Cairns on October 17.

They will return to New Zealand for the final two games on October 21 and 24, in Auckland and Wellington respectively.

The Silver Ferns broke a nine-year drought to win last year’s series 3-1.

Netball New Zealand chief executive Jennie Wyllie said there was plenty of world-class netball to look forward to after such a disrupted international calendar last year.

"International netball is certainly back and it’s exciting to be able to confirm the Cadbury Netball Series with the opportunity to defend the Constellation Cup against our toughest rivals,” she said.

"Heading overseas for the first time in two years is a significant milestone in what has been an uncertain time for international netball, and we can’t wait for the Constellation Cup battle to resume."

A Silver Ferns squad will be announced on August 10, followed by a Silver Ferns team in early October.