Black Sticks women have blown a chance to win their first match against Australia since 2019.
Australia fought back to claim a 2-2 tie in the first game of the four-match trans-Tasman series at Auckland's National Hockey Centre, courtesy of a fourth-quarter surge.
Neither team had played a match since the Tokyo Olympics, with both sides being knocked out in the quarter-finals. Australia are currently ranked second in the world, New Zealand sixth.
The visitors started the stronger of the two, but for some excellent keeping by Grace O’Hanlon to keep the game scoreless.
New Zealand responded positively, putting pressure on the Australian defence with a powerful midfield showing.
Rose Tynan scored her first goal for the Black Sticks early in the second quarter, tapping in a penalty corner to give them the 1-0 lead at halftime.
New Zealand gained momentum in the second half, culminating in a brilliant long-range ball from Steph Dickins to Olivia Shannon, who went one-on-one with the keeper and slammed home a powerful drive to put them up 2-0.
The Australians turned it around in the fourth quarter, earning a succession of penalty corners, resulting in a goal to Maddy Fitzpatrick.
Mariah Williams then tied the game with a penalty stroke due to a body on the line three minutes into the fourth quarter, putting the Black Sticks on the back foot.
Australia finished much stronger of the teams, but neither side were able to find a winner, with the match ending in a draw.
The second game of the four-match series is scheduled for Thursday as both teams build for the 2022 Commonwealth Games at Birmingham.
Reigning champions New Zealand will look to emulate their 2018 gold medal win over Australia at the Gold Coast.
