The Silver Ferns have slumped to a heavy defeat in the third Constellation Cup test against Australia at Melbourne on Wednesday.
New Zealand were comprehensively beaten 62-47 by a much-improved Diamonds outfit in front of a sold out John Cain Arena.
The loss means whichever team wins the fourth and final test at Gold Coast on Sunday will take home the Constellation Cup.
Australia looked a much different side from the one that lost the first two tests, and dominated New Zealand from the outset.
The hosts were by far the busier of the two teams in the final third of the court, with only Silver Ferns sharpshooter Grace Nweke able to offer some respite with her strength and deft touch.
Australia led by as many as seven in the first quarter, but for Nweke to pull back a couple of late goals to bring an end to a tough opening 15 minutes for the visitors.
But the first quarter only set the tone for the rest of the match, with the Diamonds quickly extending their lead to double digits.
Silver Ferns coach Dame Noeline Taurua tried to counter Australia's dominance with wholesale changes, but that only appeared to unsettle her team and made little difference.
New Zealand centre Whitney Souness tried hard on defence with a couple of interceptions, and great link up play with Nweke, but it couldn't prevent Australia going into halftime with a commanding 31-22 lead.
However, substitutes Te Paea Selby-Rickit and Phoenix Karaka were impactful off the bench, and helped New Zealand to comfortably their best quarter in the third.
Karaka brought some much-needed intensity, with New Zealand playing at a much more demanding pace.
Australia countered the Silver Ferns with a calm approach, and were happy to occupy all the space on the court with short passes.
Despite New Zealand clawing back a couple of goals, their frantic third quarter evidently had an effect on them in the final 15 minutes.
The Silver Ferns were visibly fatigued, and made a number of unforced errors, as Australia quickly raced out to a 15-goal lead and sealed a comprehensive win.
Australia's greater goal aggregate, despite only boasting one win, means whichever team comes out on top at Gold Coast Convention Centre will clinch the series.
New Zealand 47 (Nweke 30/31, Selby-Rickit 7/7, Ekenasio 6/7)
Australia 62 (Garbin 34/38, Wood 28/35)
Join us at 9:30pm Sunday for live updates of the final Silver Ferns v Australia Constellation Cup clash.
