Australia netball

The September Quad Series involving the two trans-Tasman rivals, along with England and South Africa was canned as a result of the Covid-19 impacts on borders.

Australia and New Zealand are still hoping the Constellation Cup will take place later this year but with a recent surge in cases in Australia, that's looking more precarious.

If a trans-Tasman bubble doesn't eventuate this year, the only other option would be if the Ferns went across the ditch and went through quarantine in order to play the Diamonds, or vice versa.

Lisa Alexander's team lifted for the master coach in her 100th Test, levelling the four match series at 1-1.

Gretel Tippett (23/24) was supreme under the ring, ably assisted by captain Caitlin Bassett (17/20) and Tegan Philip (8/9).

But this was a win masterminded by the back.

Goal keeper Courtney Bruce subdued the Maria Folau-led Silver Ferns attack with an intensity that lifted the whole Diamonds side.

The four-Test series now heads to Sydney and Perth, where wins would allow Australia to retain the trans-Tasman trophy for the seventh-straight time.

As reported by Stuff last week, Tutaia has signed a two-year deal with the Mystics. She's currently in camp with the Silver Ferns trial squad ahead of the 11 tests they'll be playing between late August and mid-October.

A player of Tutaia's quality could have picked up a big contract with an Australian team, but she said she wanted to remain on this side of the Tasman.

"There were a few options, but I am very happy here in New Zealand," Tutaia said.

"The relationship and the learning with the Mystics this year is something I wanted to be a part of."