The Silver Ferns have fallen agonisingly short of defending their Constellation Cup title in Christchurch.
New Zealand won the fourth test 62-57 – levelling the series 2-2 – but lost the extra time period 12-11, with the Australians smartly running down the clock before scoring a goal in the final seconds.
The Ferns’ test win came after overcoming a six-goal halftime deficit with a 19-11 fourth-quarter effort.
Defender Catherine Hall made another huge impact, forcing numerous turnovers and playing through extra time.
Shooter Grace Nweke was again dominant over Courtney Bruce, slotting 56 goals.
Skipper Karin Burger told Sky Sport it was disappointing to be edged at the death.
“A massive game for us and knowing we had to go into overtime - pretty much an extra half a game. We wanted to make sure we played our first game for what it was.
“That extra time obviously showed the rivalry between us and Australia. It was a great tussle, and unfortunately, it just didn’t go our way today.
“We’ve improved a lot from when we first started, and we know we’ve got a lot of improvement to go from here.”
The Ferns started with the same defensive pressure as they did in test three. Australia were penalised for a held ball on the opening play, and New Zealand eventually took an early two-goal lead.
The Nweke-Bruce physical battle continued with fierce intensity. At one point, the Kiwi put her shoulder into Bruce’s chest when she stood too close, sending the Australian to the floor.
Goal keep Kelly Jackson returned to her exceptional best, snatching two early rebounds and routinely putting her body on the line in desperate scraps for possession.
However, turnovers from centre Maddy Gordon, wing attack Mila Reuelu-Buchanan and goal attack Georgia Heffernan saw the Diamonds win the opening stanza, 17-12.
The Ferns forced a mistake off the Diamonds’ centre pass early in the second quarter. However, Australia’s defensive pressure kept the Kiwis’ midcourt and attacking end under threat.
New Zealand’s box defence was working, with the likes of Burger nabbing deflections, but few went to hand.
Australia captain Liz Watson was superb, boasting 15 feeds by halftime and barely putting a foot wrong.
Like in game one, the Ferns’ long passes into Nweke were working, but they struggled to move the ball to the circle edge.
Amelia Walmsley replaced Heffernan at goal attack, but struggled. She had an early miss and was penalised for contact as Nweke was shooting what would have been a valuable goal on Australia’s centre pass.
The Diamonds won the second quarter 16-15 and extended their lead to 33-27 at halftime.
Coach Yvette McCausland-Durie rang changes at the break, with Catherine Hall going into GD, Burger to WD, Kate Heffernan to C and Maddy Gordon to WA.
It was arguably the Ferns’ best defensive quarter of the series. Kate Heffernan nabbed an early intercept, followed by two deflections from Hall. Walmsley also pitched in with a valuable ricochet, which fell into the arms of Burger.
Australia goal shoot Sophie Garbin then missed twice in a row, with Hall grabbing the second rebound. Kate Heffernan made her second intercept, and Nweke converted to tie the scores at 37-37.
The Ferns conceded a turnover after Kate Heffernan left the court for Kimiora Poi, leaving Australia with a 46-43 advantage heading into the final quarter.
Jackson won three early turnovers for New Zealand, heaping pressure on Australia goal attack Keira Austin. They saw the Ferns take the lead for the first time since the opening quarter.
The long passes into Nweke continued, and while their attack was at times scrappy, it was working. New Zealand surged into a three-goal lead.
With a third change at goal attack for the Diamonds, their shooters started to falter, with Garbin missing a regulation goal attempt and the Ferns’ lead stretching further.
New Zealand won the final quarter 19-11 to clinch the fourth test and force extra time.
After a 12-minute break, the two sides resumed battle.
Austin missed her first extra time attempt and New Zealand capitalised to take an early 3-0 lead. Sunday Aryang returned fire at the other end, and the Diamonds soon levelled things.
Gordon left the court with what looked to be a calf injury, bringing Reuelu-Buchanan back into wing attack.
Nweke was penalised for stepping as she twisted to reel in a pass, leaving Australia with the 7-5 edge at the break.
Reuelu-Buchanan put a foot out of bounds on New Zealand’s first possession of the second period, and Australia’s lead moved out to four goals.
Jackson won a rebound, and New Zealand pulled two back. Reuelu-Buchanan made a crucial deflection, and the Ferns levelled it again at 11-11.
The Diamonds wound down the clock superbly and slotted the winning goal with just three seconds remaining, taking extra time 12-11.
Aryang had a late scare, falling awkwardly in a tussle with Nweke after the Ferns desperately flung the ball back up the other end of the court.
The Silver Ferns now turn to their Northern Tour against Scotland and England, starting against the Thistles on November 9 in Glasgow.
New Zealand 62 - 57 Australia
Extra time: New Zealand 11 - 12 Australia
Nathan Limm has been a journalist with Newstalk ZB and the NZ Herald since 2020. He covered the Netball World Cup in Cape Town in 2023, hosts The Big League Podcast and commentates rugby and netball for Gold Sport.