Silver Ferns coach Dame Noeline Taurua has praised her team's resilience, after notching back-to-back wins over Australia in the Constellation Cup.
Unlike the first test, the Diamonds went shot-for-shot with New Zealand in the opening quarter, taking a one-goal advantage into the second.
Silver Ferns shooter Grace Nweke was at her devastating best under the net and found good supply from centre Peta Toeva, but Australia's attack, led by Steph Wood, continued to match their opponents' success, trailing by just a goal at halftime.
New Zealand ramped up their intent in the second half, surging to a six-goal advantage at the end of the third quarter, before clinching an impressive win.
Dame Noeline was delighted to come away with the result and the tenacity her players showed to pull the game back.
"I think it could've gone either way, if I'm going to be honest," she told Sky Sport. "I think we were slow coming out of the blocks, and really hesitant in attack and defence.
"We did turn over the ball, but we weren't driving it through. Probably the most pleasing thing was we held our mettle at times and we really fought it through, especially going into that last half.
"We took a while, especially on defence, to get back into structure. We got pulled apart and when we're like that, it means we go one on one and that's not very good for us.
"I think, on attack, we were a bit smarter and had better timing, but also were prepared to take the body on, and just get the ball to circle edge and put it through. I think we had patience, but also worked really hard to get the ball as well."
Dame Noeline also praised Toeva's combination with Nweke and hopes to put away the Constellation Cup with a game to spare at Melbourne on Wednesday.
"I think she has definitely been a star - and Grace,"she said. "I actually thought Meels [captain Ameliaranne Ekenasio] did a really good job for us.
"She was the one that glued it together for us at both ends. Her ball rate and possession was really high, plus also her shooting.
"I think that's the thing that is quite pleasing, everyone is doing their role and everyone as a unit. When we do that we're really strong.
"We've got a quick turnaround, our next game is in a couple of days and also travel on top of that. This next game is really on the line for both teams and for us to win would be awesome."
With New Zealand 2-0 up in the four-match series, they can retain the trans-Tasman trophy with another win or on points aggregate, if Australia win the next two encounters at home.
Join us at 9:30pm Wednesday for live updates of the third Silver Ferns v Australia Constellation Cup clash
