After winning the first game of the Constellation Cup by 15 goals, New Zealand were determined to keep the game close and they did exactly that. 

There were only four goals heading into the final quarter but it was the Diamonds who rose to the occasion and were able to punish them for missed opportunities.  

They were able to get within three goals of the Diamonds in the fourth quarter but their superior conditioning and cleaner execution at critical moments made the difference.

Australia's willingness to hunt and contest possession didn't suit their penalty count well.

While Australia has enjoyed the upper hand of the Trans-Tasman rivalry since the 2015 World Cup, the Ferns were back to putting the Diamonds under pressure.

The win for the Diamonds hid what was a further improvement from the Ferns.

It was a bittersweet moment for Laura Langman who became the most capped Silver Fern with 146 appearances and surpassed the legendary Iren van Dyk.

Australia are now just one game away from clinching their eighth Constellation Cup and head to Hamilton for their next match on Sunday October 14 at Claudelands Arena.