The return of vice-captain Irene van Dyk could not prevent the Silver Ferns losing to Australia 44-41 in Melbourne.
The Diamonds' victory gave them the Constellation Cup and again came in the final stages after New Zealand had powered to an early lead.
Van Dyk tookthe court ahead of Cathrine Latu, after the 39-year-old watched Wednesday night's defeat by the Diamonds in Adelaide from the reserves bench.
Her greater experience was valuable in the physical match but Australia took control late in the third quarter.
Although the Silver Ferns rallied in the fourth and gained a one-goal lead over the Diamonds with five minutes remaining, it wasn't enough.
It was a better performance from the Silver Ferns after their fourth-quarter meltdown on Wednesday night, but new coach Wai Taumaunu will remain concerned at their inability to maintain a healthy lead.
Their sole win in the three-test Australia series came in the first game in Perth, where they let slip their advantage but stole the match by a goal at the end.
Leading 12-6 after the first quarter today, the Silver Ferns maintained their six-goal advantage at halftime. But they looked a little rattled by the Diamonds' physicality and the expected comeback from the home side came in the third quarter.
The Silver Ferns resisted when the Diamonds came within two goals 28-26, and went out to 31-26, but folded with two minutes left in the quarter, the teams leaving the court at 33-31 to Australia.
It was a mistake-ridden first quarter but the Silver Ferns again took control early. Goal defence Anna Scarlett made some timely intercepts and van Dyk showed her ability in the air, but too often the Silver Ferns panicked in the face of the physical Australian defence.
The Australians, on the other hand, showed greater composure and weren't pushed into the same mistakes.
1st quarter: NZ 12-6
HT: NZ 22-16
3rd quarter: Aus 33-31
FT: Aus 44-41
AUSTRALIA 44 (Caitlin Bassett 20 Erin Bell 14 Catherine Cox 9) bt NEW ZEALAND 41 (Irene van Dyk 24 Maria Tutaia 17) at Hisense Arena
