Decider looms as Silver Ferns falter

Australia struck back with a 51-44 come-from-behind victory over the Silver Ferns on Wednesday night to ensure the Constellation Cup will go into a deciding third match four days later.

New Zealand held the lead for the first two quarters, and were tied up at 36-all heading into the final period, but were blown off the court by the fast-finishing Australians at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre.

That would be a point of concern for new coach Waimarama Taumaunu as she attempts to guide the Ferns to a series win in her first attempt.

Taumaunu showed she was not afraid to make the big calls, starting Cathrine Latu at goal shoot ahead of the vastly-experienced Irene van Dyk.

It looked to be a wise move as Latu combined well with Maria Tutaia in the shooting circle, converting all but four of their 30 first-half shots to lead 26-25 at halftime.

The shooting percentages were not the biggest issues in the second half, with 18 of 24 going in, but rather the lack of possession reaching the Silver Fern shooters as turnovers crept in.

It was a more physical presence from the Australians, with the local crowd baying them on, that rattled the visitors and they were not able to keep their heads in the final quarter.

Goal shoot Catherine Cox's cool head in the Australian circle earned her player of the match honours, while goal attack Natalie Medhurst complimented her by nailing all of her seven shots in the final 12 minutes.

The closeness of the rivalry between the two sides is best summed up in the fact that neither side has recorded back-to-back victories in their last 11 clashes.