Silver Ferns coach Dame Noeline Taurua has provided an encouraging update on the status of star shooter Grace Nweke
Nweke hasn't featured for the Silver Ferns since a knee injury ended her Netball World Cup campaign in their final pool game against Singapore back in July.
The Mystics linchpin was named in the squad for the Constellation Cup series but wasn't expected to take the court until the team returned from the Australian leg of the series.
But speaking before the team's departure for Australia on Tuesday, Dame Noeline says there's renewed optimism Nweke will make a highly anticipated comeback across the Tasman after some promising progress in her recovery.
"Originally a couple weeks ago we had actually taken the Aussie leg out [of consideration], but we're really happy with what she's doing," Taurua told Newshub.
"It's still a day-by-day sort of measurement and testing that we have to go through but hopefully we may be able to get her out here in Australia.
"Definitely by the time we get hit New Zealand, so we're pretty guaranteed with that."
The first test of the series takes place in Melbourne on Thursday night, before they shift to Brisbane on Sunday.
The NZ leg starts in Invercargill next Thursday, then finishes in Auckland on October 23.
The towering shooter has been sorely missed during her injury absence, particularly the physical presence she offers inside the shooting circle.
That 1.93m frame would be particularly valuable against the world champion Australians, whose physicality is a hallmark of their game.
The Silver Ferns enter the series on the back of their 2-1 Taini Jamison Trophy win, when they were pushed to the limit by an under-strength England team.
Taurua says the team has learned some tough lessons from their outings against the English and while she was happy with the improvement shown after the shock opening defeat, she realises they'll need to lift a couple more levels to compete with the Diamonds.
The Aussies are the current holders of the Constellation Cup, after winning it back with last year's drawn series.
Making an early statement is imperative to New Zealand's hopes of recapturing the annual trans-Tasman prize, Taurua notes.
"Very important, not only for us as a team, but also our own pride," she said.
"We've still got a gap of learning that needs to happen for us to play the world No. 1.
"We'll either be shown how far or close we are against them, but intention and heart is on point so I'm looking forward to it."
Join Newshub at 9:30pm, Thursday for live updates of the first test between the Silver Ferns and Australia
