The Silver Ferns are looking to 'shut up' a sellout Melbourne crowd in their potential Constellation Cup-sealing test against Australia on Wednesday.
New Zealand won their first two games and can lock away the trophy for another year, if they triumph over their rivals at the 10,000-capacity John Cain Arena.
Silver Ferns defender Phoenix Karaka is embracing the tough task ahead of them and reveals the hostile crowd will only aid them in their conquest.
"Obviously, there will be a bit of booing to our side, but I always love hearing the crowd, whether it's for or against us," she said. "I think it's a good energy booster for any team.
"It will be amazing to hear those 10,000 people here, but I don't really find it as a distraction. I find it's something that we can use for us, even though it is against us.
"When we can shut them up, that will be a really good sign."
Karaka's evolving combination with defender Kelly Jury has been one of many bright spots for the high-flying Ferns in the opening two test matches.
She admits the pair don't talk much on court, but she wouldn't have it any other way, as New Zealand prepare for an Australian backlash.
"I think there's a lot of trust in the combination that we have, but also not just between us two," Karaka said. "The fronts, the attackers that are defending through court... I think there's a lot of growth that we've had since the Comm Games.
"We're trying a few new things, and we're committing really hard to what we're learning and in training, and it's showing in the game, but I think the combination between me and Kels has been awesome.
"We don't really talk that much, but when we do, it's to-the-point kind of conversation, which is really nice.
"Defensively, as a team, we're working really hard to get the ball - now we've got to really look after the ball we get. We're scoring our own, but we need to treasure the ball we do get as a bonus.
"The advantage of being home and that crowd is the eighth player for any team, but I think they will come out firing. They will probably have a few things up their sleeve that they haven't really shown yet, so it will be interesting to see that.
"I think they will come back with the physical game, but also they are doing really well, they are coming back when we've had a lead. They will probably look at how clinical they are at scoring the ball they do get - like us."
Join us at 9:30pm Wednesday for live updates of the third Silver Ferns v Australia Constellation Cup clash.
