LIVE COMMENTARY (Be sure to refresh your browser)
New Zealand - 42 48 - Australia
FULLTIME - The Diamonds level the series. Read a full wrap here.
1:45 - Phillip puts a nail in the NZ coffin.
3:20 - NZ running out of time. Aussie run the clock and sink another.
4:45 - NZ hustle to force the turnover. Folau's shot rolls in and out.
6:35 - Back to a seven-goal lead as Tippet keeps pouring them in.
7:15 - Aussie building patiently. Tippett makes it count.
8:40 - Folau can't nail the deep shot. Tippett with a huge offensive rebound and putback.
9:55 - Mes hits one underneath. Tippett responds
11:15 - Folau brings it back to four.
11:40 - Tippett with her first miss of the game.
12:38 - Make that seven.
12:55 - Aussie push back out to six.
13:33 - Langman to Folau. Buckets.
14:15 - Tippett takes a big tumble then gets up to sink another.
End of third quarter
0:22 - Folau with a slick ball to Mes, who grabs her first goal.
3:10 - Make that five, and it's a five-point game.
4:15 - Aus throw one away. Folau makes NZ's fourth-straight basket.
4:35 - Folau lands one from deep.
4:55 - Mes makes an immediate impact with a steal.
6:20 - Shots not falling for NZ as Aus take a 10-goal advantage.
8:50 - Bassett with another close range bucket.
9:40 - Langman soars to steal one, but Aus pinch it right back.
10:10 - Uncharacteristic error from Folau.
10:45 - Taurua rings the changes after another Aus basket.
11:45 - Huge defensive effort from Aus but Ekenasio gets free to sink a much-needed basket.
13:00 - Aussie more urgent to the loose balls and the lead grows
14:10 - Folau grabs NZ's first.
14:30 - Turnovers both ways. That's 14 apiece.
14:52 - Bassett quickly boosts Aussie's lead.
HALFTIME
0:30 - Aus with another error.
1:30 - Ekenasio puts one halfway in and out.
3:10 - Folau nails the baseline attempt.
3:40 - Tippett stays perfect from the field
5:30 - Folau sinks one from the Viaduct.
6:30 - Tippett with a flashy finish.
7:00 - Ekenasio on the money. It's a fairly even share of shots with Folau thus far.
8:30 - Watson deflection leads to a swift Folau basket.
9:14 - Rore hustles for a loose ball. Folau cashes in.
9:30 - More held balls, testament to the level of defence from both sides.
11:30 - Tippett continues her hot shooting - 9 from 9.
13:30 - Physical stuff out there. Folau nails a couple.
End of first quarter
1:45 - Huge defence at both ends of the court.
3:00 - NZ force held ball. Can't convert it into points.
6:40 - Scherian with a shcoker pass, directly out of bounds. Ekenasio makes them pay.
7:30 - Bassett maintains the Aussie buffer with a bucket.
7:50 - Folau brings the Ferns within two
10:00 - Aus deny Folau and come back the other way to nail another.
10:30 - Aus turn the ball over under more intense defensive pressure.
12:30 - Burger intercepts for NZ. Ekenasio ties the game.
13:30 - Great Aus defence, held ball forced. Bassett converts.
14:00 - First turnover Ferns.
We're underway...
7:41pm - Player intros are underway. Couple of anthems and we should be into the action.
7:33pm - Your Ferns starting line-up below.
Kia ora and welcome to live updates of the second Constellation Cup test in Auckland, where the hosts have a chance to record three-straight wins over their rivals for the first time since 2006.
Commentary will be available from 7:30pm.
TAB betting odds: NZ - $2.10 Australia - $1.65
Silver Ferns: Laura Langman (captain), Karin Burger, Ameliaranne Ekenasio, Maria Folau, Gina Crampton, Bailey Mes, Katrina Rore, Shannon Saunders, Te Paea Selby-Rickit, Michaela Sokolich-Beatson, Jane Watson, Maia Wilson
Pre-match banter
Opinion: Silver Ferns great Folau deserves fitting send-off
By Michael O'Keeffe
Wednesday night's Constellation Cup test is shaping up to be Maria Folau's final match in the black dress in this country, and I hope New Zealand can see it for what it is.
Folau's shown her hand with her decision to not sign with an Australian club for the 2020 Super League. You would have to assume that decision will most likely see Folau step into retirement – with matches in Australia (Constellation Cup) and England (Northern Tour – if she decides to play) the final hurrah for the 147-cap veteran.
It's hard to imagine the Silver Ferns selection panel would pick a player who wasn't playing any domestic netball as part of their national squad next year.
If that is the case, Folau will undoubtedly go down as one of - if not, the – best shooters this country has ever seen. Her precision from distance is second to none, not only in this country, but across world netball.
Not many can say they contributed as much to the sport than Folau in this country. She is the Silver Ferns second most-capped player (behind Laura Langman) she has won everything there is to win in the game. Two Commonwealth Games gold medals, multiple domestic and Fast Five titles, and a World Cup gold.
Folau's achievements haven't been lost on her teammates, particularly the younger crop for whom she's long been a source of inspiration.
"The amount Maria has contributed for New Zealand - you can’t really measure it," Folau's shooting partner Ameliaranne Ekanasio told Newshub.
"It's so massive and for me to come in while she's still playing is a real privilege and it's an honour to play with her".
Folau has kept a low profile since her husband Israel Folau engaged in a legal battle with former employers Rugby Australia over his anti-gay social media posts in May.
She has respectfully declined media since and, you know what, fair enough.
But that may be a contributing factor as to why she doesn’t yet wish to announce anything publically. She realises that if she does it could bring unwelcome attention and potentially open herself up to questioning about her husband's infamous exploits.
Maybe I'm being selfish on New Zealand's behalf here, but her contributions to the sport in this country are deserving of a proper send-off from the Kiwi public. If she is planning to call time on her netball career, a heads-up would be appreciated.
When I asked Silver Ferns coach Noeline Taurua if this would be Folau's final game in a black dress in New Zealand, she wasn't sure.
"I know that she's really enjoyed her time here (in the Silver Ferns) and the environment is something that has been successful." Taurua said.
"Obviously her contribution to netball has been amazing so we'll take it one step at a time and then she'll make that decision (retiring from International netball) when it's right for her."
Taurua's comments suggest she's also unaware what Folau's plans are.
Regardless, opportunities are running out to see New Zealand netball player number 134 in the flesh.
If Folau plays in every match this Constellation Cup series, she'll bring up 150 caps in the black dress.
It would be a fitting way to bow out of the international game, but the Kiwi sporting legend is worthy of so much more.
Michael O'Keeffe is a Newshub sports reporter
Newshub.
