Diamonds

Diamonds edge Silver Ferns in final

The Silver Ferns were unable to reverse the result of round-robin play when they lost to the same opponents by two goals, Australia going on to clinch a seventh title since the inception of the Quad Series in 2016.

RNZ reports the Silver Ferns couldn't have asked for a better start but struggled to maintain that impressive early form when ground down by a more consistent and accurate Diamonds.

Australia outclass Silver Ferns, take series levelling Constellation Cup win

Lisa Alexander's team lifted for the master coach in her 100th Test, levelling the four match series at 1-1.

Gretel Tippett (23/24) was supreme under the ring, ably assisted by captain Caitlin Bassett (17/20) and Tegan Philip (8/9).

But this was a win masterminded by the back.

Goal keeper Courtney Bruce subdued the Maria Folau-led Silver Ferns attack with an intensity that lifted the whole Diamonds side.

The four-Test series now heads to Sydney and Perth, where wins would allow Australia to retain the trans-Tasman trophy for the seventh-straight time.

NZ looking to keep grand final run alive

Despite the slump of form since the 2018 Commonwealth Games, the Silver Ferns are showing promising signs entering the final rounds with only one loss to their name against Australia where they fell by a single goal 49 to 50.

The Silver Ferns haven't missed a World Cup final since 1995 and its clear they want to keep it that way.

That year in Birmingham former Silver Fern shooter Irene Van Dyk not only led the South African Proteas to a 59-57 win, booking a finals spot against Australia, but they broke New Zealand hearts in one of the biggest upsets in World Cup history.