Silver Ferns 59
Australia 40
The battle to be the first holders of the Constellation Cup will be decided in Auckland this weekend after the Silver Ferns breathed new life into the series with a 19-goal demolition of Australia in Wellington last night.
There were stand-outs all over the court for the Ferns, as they
combined a defensively dominant performance with a slick and clinical attacking display.
But most importantly for Silver Ferns coach Ruth Aitken, she was able to get 11 players on court ahead of next month's Commonwealth Games.
Unable to match the Australians' intensity in their 48-43 opening test loss in Adelaide, the Ferns coaching staff upped the ante in training this week, putting the team through a number of demanding sessions.
This strategy paid off, with the Ferns out-energising Australia from the opening whistle.
New Zealand's through-court defensive pressure was outstanding all game, with the in-circle pairing of Casey Williams and Anna Scarlett, which was used for the first three quarters, rattling the experienced Australian attack line, who committed 34 turnovers in the match.
The pair were ably assisted by the Ferns workhorses in the middle Laura Langman and Joline Henry, who set up some great ball for the back two.
But it was the much-maligned Ferns attack that improved the most. Silver Ferns sharpshooter Irene van Dyk, who spent the second half in the unfamiliar position of watching from the bench, said that after a disappointing performance in the opening test in Adelaide, she was thrilled her side put out such a strong all-round display.
"We went back and looked at all the things we did wrong and to actually put out on the court everything we worked on and dominate right from the start is a great feeling."
Perhaps spurred on by comments by feisty Australian defender Mo'onia Gerrard in the lead-up to the test, the Ferns' forward line produced the slickest display we've seen this season.
Gerrard claimed her opponent, Maria Tutaia, had been underperforming this year and should be "dishing out more than she has been".
The young shooter responded with one of her best games in the black dress, providing decisive movement around the circle and slotting the long range bombs with apparent ease.
By halftime, Tutaia (16/20) had racked up more goals than van Dyk (15/17) - who normally accounts for at least three quarters of New Zealand's goals.
Which is not to say van Dyk was having a quiet night. The veteran shooter easily won the battle under the goal with Laura Geitz in the first quarter, forcing Australian coach Norma Plummer to unleash her impact player Susan Fuhrmann in the second spell.
Fuhrmann could not shake van Dyk's focus, though.
With the Ferns leading 31-19 at halftime, Aitken benched her star shooter and brought on Daneka Wipiiti, who had only previously played one test against Australia.
Wipiiti produced a confident display, putting the ball up from all around the circle.
"She was on fire, she played beautiful," said van Dyk.
