Silver Ferns lose series, No.1 ranking

The Silver Ferns not lost a six-goal halftime lead in the third and deciding Constellation Cup match against Australia, they also lost the silverware and their world No.1 ranking as well in the 44-41 defeat in Melbourne.

The balance of power is now firmly with the Australians in a year where they beat their trans-Tasman rivals to claim the world championship title.

New Zealand were in the box seat in the early going, racing out to a six-goal lead at the end of the first quarter and maintaining that advantage until halftime.

But a disastrous third quarter, where they were outscored 17-9, swung the balance towards the home side and they stretched it by a further goal at fulltime.

It represented a disappointing start to the Silver Ferns coaching career of Waimarama Taumaunu.

Taumaunu reinstated veteran Irene van Dyk at goal shoot in place of Cathrine Latu, who had been preferred in the second Test and left on court for the full 60 minutes.

Van Dyk was typically accurate throughout, missing only two of her 26 shots while goal attack Maria Tutaia shot 17 out of 22.

New Zealand's issue was through the midcourt, where a multitude of turnovers – especially in the third quarter – proved costly.

Australia's percentages in the shooting circle were very similar but their midcourters vastly outplayed the Silver Ferns and secured more possession.

The home side also had fine input from their bench and Madison Browne was awarded the player of the match award.