Silver Ferns coach Noeline Taurua is struggling to find any positives, after her team ended their 2018 season with a dismal display against the Australian Diamonds in the fourth Constellation Cup test on Thursday.
The Ferns couldn't back up their break-through win on Sunday, slumping to a 58-47 defeat to the world champions in Wellington.
It was one-way traffic at TSB Arena, as the Diamonds' strongest team led for most of the match against a hapless Ferns side that had no answers.
Heading into the match, New Zealand had to win by 14 goals or more to win the Constellation Cup for only the second time, but a lack of composure cost them when it mattered most.
The Ferns only shot at 72 percent, compared to Australia's 85 percent.
"It's not the way we wanted it to end... we got dealt to, so that's how it goes," said Taurua.
"There's actually some really good fight in this team and I'm very happy about that. It was great we had the win last week, but it's not good enough for us to finish in this manner.
"Credit where credit's due, I thought they had really good energy. I thought their connections, especially in that attacking end, was really good.
"They played the height factor and we couldn't compete in the air to the degree that we did in Hamilton.
"I don't know if there are positives coming out of that, but I've been able to see people out there on court and we know what we need to do, heading into the pre-season."
Ferns captain Laura Langman echoed her coach's comments.
"But I felt we were probably a little bit slow to collectively react. I certainly have faith in our structures.
"I think we can go toe-to-toe with them, I just think it was execution tonight and maybe our decision-making we were caught two steps behind," said Langman.
"When you pull on the black dress, the expectation is to put out a performance that we're proud of. I think if you were to go around to each player tonight, they would be pretty disappointed with what was out there."
The win means the Australian Diamonds hold on to the Constellation Cup for another year, after taking the series 3-1.
The Silver Ferns next hit-out will be in January's Quad Series, between Australia, South Africa and England.
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