Star Diamonds goalkeeper Courtney Bruce has praised the calming influence of new Australia coach Stacey Marinkovich as the team fights against the odds to extend their Constellation Cup dominance over arch rivals New Zealand.
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The Diamonds' two-week hotel quarantine period in NZ ended on Monday - just one day before the start of the four-Test series against their arch rivals.
Australia's squad were at least given permission to train together over the past week, but the Silver Ferns enter the series with the massive advantage of being able to prepare under near-normal conditions.
The Diamonds haven't relinquished the Constellation Cup since winning in 2013 - a run of seven straight campaigns.
Australia would love nothing more than to extend that to eight, but Bruce said there was also a bigger picture in play.
"Obviously we'd love to walk away with the four wins. We're competitive, that's for sure," Bruce told AAP ahead of Tuesday's opener in Christchurch.
"But it is about building for a World Cup (2023) and a Commonwealth Games (2022), and making sure that when we get to those pinnacle events that we're in the best shape possible to take gold at those events."
The re-emergence of COVID-19 in NZ means the four-match series will now be played without crowds.
Two of the Tests were originally scheduled for Tauranga, but the entire series will now be played in Christchurch.
Bruce said it was disappointing for fans to miss out, but she understands it's a necessary step to protect the community.
The Diamonds haven't been in action since October 2019, when they beat NZ in Perth in front of 13,233 fans.
Bruce said that game felt like a lifetime ago, and she's excited to be part of the new Marinkovich era at the Diamonds.
"She's really enabled us all to be leaders and have a voice. She's brought a sense of calmness and freshness to the group, which is nice," Bruce said of Marinkovich, who is also her coach at the West Coast Fever.
"She's had me since I was a 17-year-old coming through the pathways, so it's been quite exciting seeing her journey to this point."
The Diamonds will be without Steph Wood (knee), Emily Mannix (hip), and Gretel Bueta (maternity leave).
The Silver Ferns have been boosted by the return of World Cup-winning shooter Bailey Mes, who has missed the past 13 months with a knee injury.
Marinkovich, who took over as coach from Lisa Alexander in August, will trial a different captain in each of the four matches before appointing someone to the role full-time.
DIAMONDS SQUAD: Jess Anstiss, Kiera Austin, Caitlin Bassett, Courtney Bruce, Verity Charles, Sophie Garbin, Paige Hadley, Kimberley Jenner, Cara Koenen, Sarah Klau, Jamie-Lee Price, Maddy Proud, Kate Moloney, Gabi Simpson, Liz Watson, Jo Weston.
SILVER FERNS SQUAD: Ameliaranne Ekenasio, Monica Falkner, Bailey Mes, Maia Wilson, Maddy Gordon, Gina Crampton, Claire Kersten, Kimiora Poi, Shannon Saunders, Whitney Souness, Samantha Winders, Karin Burger, Sulu Fitzpatrick, Jane Watson.
Australian Associated Press
