Casey Williams has shunned suggestions New Zealand can't handle pressure ahead of Thursday's crucial second Test against Australia in Wellington.
There is growing concern at the Silver Ferns inability to win tight contests between the two fierce trans-Tasman rivals, with Australia, more often than not, prevailing when the blowtorch is applied.
This was evident in Adelaide, where New Zealand's shooters buckled at the death as the home side cruised to a five-goal victory.
The first-up loss means New Zealand must win in the capital and in Auckland on Sunday to secure the inaugural Constellation Cup. To do that, they'll need to quash Australia's mental-edge.
But not if you ask the New Zealand captain, who denied the 'choking' tag.
"No I don't buy into that at all. The top two inches are definitely important, but I don't think we lack that [mental-toughness]. It's just our decision making and crucial errors at crucial times [letting us down]," a jet-lagged Williams quipped.
While New Zealand played just across the ditch, they flew straight after Adelaide's loss to Melbourne then caught a 5am flight to Wellington, all in the mists of three-day turnaround.
Since then, the Ferns have learnt popularity comes with scrutiny, which can be draining. The pressure's on, they realise another defeat wraps up the series and further boosts the Diamonds' cocky confidence with October's Commonwealth Games on the horizon.
Williams said the loss exposed the level her side had to reach, and improvements had to be made quickly.
Hesitancy hindered their traditional through-court speed on Sunday; the fast-short-sharp Sharelle McMahon and Natalie Medhurst circle rotation got the better of the Kiwi's up-right defence, Susan Fuhrmann rattled New Zealand's points-getters when it counted and too many individual blunders cost them the game.
Worst of all, a stationary van Dyk looked intimidated, shell-shocked by Fuhrmann and has since put her hand up.
Adversity can galvanise teams, and a determined Williams backed her star shooter to respond in emphatic fashion.
"Irene has an amazing dodge, she can roll, she's more than just a holding shooter now," the 25-year-old said of how van Dyk would combat 'the Fuhrmannator'. "A person like Irene, after she takes the criticism and has a game like that, the next one is always amazing. I believe that's going to happen and our attacking end is going to come out firing on Thursday."
Umpire leniency was put under the spotlight following Fuhrmann's physical style but it was important to be charm-offensive and adapt to the rulings.
Williams revealed you could expect a more free-flowing Ferns outfit that would base their game around speed of the pass beating the player.
"Everyone's excited because we know we did it to ourselves on Sunday, and we know we can only get better," she acknowledged.
"Criticism's always good. Sometimes you learn from a loss more than you do a win. It's made us really look at ourselves."
After pouring over footage of Medhurst and McMahon, the captain had identified a need to 'get in their faces more'.
Williams, who admitted still adjusting to a move forward from goal-keep to defence, said she had the best connection with Katrina Grant as they spent time together last year, but Leana de Bruin and Anna Scarlett (not used in game one) were strong options.
Meanwhile, no-nonsense Australian coach Norma Plummer has set her sights on a clean-sweep. Plummer also promised changes to her starting lineup, possibly in the shooting circle where Susan Pratley and Catherine Cox are quality alternatives.