Australia beat New Zealand 62-52 last night at the State Sports Centre but it was not enough to take the Tri Nations title away from the Silver Ferns.
The world champions did not win by the 16 point-margin they needed to eclipse the Silver Ferns, who beat them 55-40 in Melbourne
last weekend.
New Zealand were not in the same form that took them past Australia in their past two meetings, with the Australians cutting off ball from Silver Ferns shooter Irene Van Dyk and their own shooters - Sharelle McMahon and Eloise Southby – in good touch.
McMahon and Southby only missed one goal out of 17 shots to give the Australians a 16-14 lead after the first quarter, a lead they stretched to six points by halftime.
From 32-26 at the break the Australians surged ahead in the third quarter, despite Silver Ferns coach Yvonne Willering replacing goal attack Belinda Colling with Donna Loffhagen, leading the Kiwis 48-36 at the final break.
With a 14-goal lead going into the last minutes of the match, Australia looked to have a chance of taking the series, but the Silver Ferns fought back, with good defence by replacement Vilimaina Davu and Bernice Mene.
It ensured New Zealand won the final quarter by two, giving them the Tri Nations title.
