New Zealand have fallen to a 50-40 defeat against world champions Australia in the opening Constellation Cup encounter at Melbourne.
The Silver Ferns never led against their trans-Tasman rivals, conceding a 12-10 lead after the opening quarter and then five unanswered goals to start the second, as the Diamonds took control of the contest.
Defensive pressure limited the NZ women to just 11 shots on goal, compared to 19 from their opponents. The Ferns enjoyed a 14-11 edge in the third period, reducing the deficity to six goals entering the final quarter, but three straight goals allowed the Aussies to edge clear again.
Their defence was even tighter down the stretch, as they outshot New Zealand 14-7 in the final quarter. Ferns shooters Ameliaranne Ekenasio, Amelia Walmsley and Maia Wilson match their counterparts for accuracy, but simply did not enjoy the same opportunities.
In her first start against Australia, teenager Walmsley converted 21/25 (84 percent), before she was replaced by Wilson in the final stanza.
Coach Dame Noeline Taurua started the same line-up that carried New Zealand to victory over a second-string England side in last month's Taini Jamison Trophy series, featuring a young midcourt of wing defence Kate Heffernan, centre Maddy Gordon and wind attack Mila Reuelu-Buchanan.
Taurua made only two changes throughout the contest, also inserting Karin Burger for defender Phoenix Karaka in the second quarter.
"Definitely not the result we wanted," reflected captain Ekenasio. "We want to be heaps better and I think we have the capacity to be better as well, we've just got to continue to take it on.
"Some of our girls haven't played Aussie too much, so now they've got a first taste and know what's to come.
"It's just massive learning experiences out there on court, we just have to grow. It's been a long time since we met them in January, so we're looking forward to going again on Sunday."
Game two is scheduled for Brisbane in three days.
Australia 50 (Koenen 27/31, Austin 22/27, Garbin 1/1) New Zealand 40 (Walmsley 21/25, Ekenasio 17/20, Wilson 2/2)
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