KEY POINTS:
NETBALL New Zealand 38 Australia 31
Maybe it was the Warriors' impressive win the night before in the rugby league. Or maybe the Silver Ferns were just tired of being second best.
Whatever the reason, New Zealand ended its netball drought last night in spectacular fashion in
front of a hyped-up crowd at Vector Arena - taking the second New World International Netball Series test, 38-31, with a bravura performance from defender Casey Williams.
Australia had won six of the last seven encounters with New Zealand, including the World Championship final a year ago, but the Silver Ferns weren't about to let the Diamonds take another nail-biter from them.
From the outset, the Silver Ferns were focused on the task ahead. When called on to the court for their warm-up, the local side almost marched on towards their bench. Even the ear-piercing screams of delight from Auckland fans couldn't penetrate their bubble of concentration.
In comparison, the Australians almost waltzed on, their gear bags casually slung over shoulders.
Silver Fern coach Ruth Aitken made few changes to the side which took the court in the first test three nights prior in Christchurch. Laura Langman was given another chance in the attacking end at wing attack, while Irene Van Dyk took the now familiar goal-attack bib.
The 21-year-old Katrina Grant earned her first cap - getting the nod to start in the defensive end at goal defence. Grant had an outstanding ANZ championship season with the Southern Steel, putting her on the national selectors' radar.
There were worrying signs for the Silver Ferns, with experienced Australian shooter Catherine Cox named in the starting line-up.
Australia coach Norma Plummer also brought NSW Swifts defender Rebecca Bulley from the bench for her first international start.
Bulley spent the first half looking after Langman and made an immediate impact - getting a defensive tip on the first centre pass, causing the home side to retreat back to Williams to settle.
The first five minutes were physical and intense but it was New Zealand who found their timing first - jumping out to a six goal to one lead. It set the tone for the rest of the game.
Australia were forced to rally and, after getting four quick goals back, the difference stood at two points. At the end of the first term the Silver Ferns held a three point lead.
Interestingly it was Maria Tutaia who made the biggest impact on the scoreboard, shooting nine from 10 attempts compared to van Dyk who had just three goals.
Both coaches kept their starting seven for the second quarter but, after time was called, it was Plummer who moved first - pushing Cox to goal attack and Susan Pratley to goal shoot.
It made little difference as the Silver Ferns pushed on with defensive pressure throughout the court, adding three goals before Australia even had a clear shot.
Mid-court pressure on the ball from Silver Ferns captain Julie Seymour caused a turnover, giving van Dyk a clear shot midway through the second stanza.
It was also the Silver Ferns' fifth unanswered goal.
Part way through the quarter, time was called for Grant with the difference standing at seven points. Less than a minute later, Australian captain Natalie von Bertouch was sandwiched in the wing area by Grant and Joline Henry.
Van Bertouch came crashing with a thud and remained down, attended by the doctors for the full treatment time. However, the Aussie battler was back on her feet and played out the rest of the game.
Williams, sporting a bandage over her eye from a head clash with Kate Beveridge in the first game, was on fire and, together with Grant, the defenders kept Australia to just six points while they piled on 11.
The halftime difference of eight points was always going to be difficult for the world champions to overhaul.
Coach Ruth Aitken pulled in a few changes for the second half, sending in Sheryl Scanlan to join Williams. Plummer also made changes, with Julie Prendergast coming in at wing defence.
Cox stayed with the goal attack bib, but was replaced by Beveridge during an injury time-out.
Despite Beveridge's cool composure in Chrischurch, she was tested by Williams' physicality.
The defensive pressure from the Silver Ferns stood the test, and their shooters capitalised on the scoreboard, a part of their game which has been lacking for some time.
Williams was a standout all night, taking every intercept and rebound she could. Her tenacious efforts won her player of the day.
Going in to the final quarter with an eight-point lead gave Aitken the confidence to bench van Dyk and give Daneka Wipiiti a chance to prove she could step up to international netball.
Wipiiti rose to the challenge at goal shoot, taking whatever ball came her way and finishing with flair; a good sign for a player who maybe made her international debut a little too early but who might now be ready to flower properly.
Australia clawed their way closer to the Ferns, but this time they withstood the challenge.
The Diamonds were unable to burst the seven point bubble.
