All but assured of retaining the Constellation Cup, Australia's netballers have decided to rest captain Laura Geitz for the final two Tests of the series against New Zealand.
The Diamonds, who lead the four-Test series 2-0 after an eventually comfortable 58-48 win in the second game in Auckland on Thursday night, have made two changes to the squad for the third and fourth Tests in Melbourne and Perth.
Geitz and midcourter Gabi Simpson make way for the uncapped duo of midcourter Ashleigh Brazill and defender Jo Weston.
Renae Ingles, who missed the second Test with a calf strain, will assume the captaincy subject to passing a fitness test ahead of game three on Sunday.
Australia netball captain Laura Geitz tussles with Silver Bailey Mes during the World Cup in Sydney. Photo: Photosport
"Player management is really important to ensure the performance and longevity of our athletes aren't compromised as we move into a new high performance cycle ahead of the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games and 2019 Netball World Cup in Liverpool," Australia coach Lisa Alexander said.
"After such a big year on and off the court, the national selectors and I are mindful of our athletes' physical and mental wellbeing, particularly those who contested the 2015 ANZ Championship Grand Final and Netball World Cup.
West Coast Fever's Brazill is a step closer to making her long awaited international debut three years after injury forced the 25-year-old to withdraw from the Diamonds team ahead of the 2012 Test series.
Melbourne Vixens defender Weston will be reunited with her Australian under-21 team-mates Paige Hadley, Kim Ravaillion and Gretel Tippett, who won silver at the 2013 World Youth Netball Championship in Glasgow.
