New Zealand, who defeated Australia in the gold medal match at the Commonwealth Game last month, made the final after defeating Japan on penalties during the playoff yesterday afternoon.

Australia captain Emily Smith played her 200th game and was proud of the way her team played.

"I'm very proud to have played 200 games, the girls presented me with a video before the game and it inspired us to go out there and put in a good performance," she said.

"Obviously after the Comm Games, we were disappointed.

"We're using this as a chance to improve and practice playing in finals," Smith said.

The Hockeyroos opened their scoring in the first quarter with a penalty corner which Jodie Kenny buried high but New Zealand cancelled the goal out in the second quarter with a penalty stroke of their own.

However, it wasn't a Black Sticks player on the end of the goal but a deflection which saw the ball go past Ashlee Wells.

Wells made crucial saves to deny New Zealand any lead they were trying to get.

Rosie Malone stepped up to the plate after her initial shot was blocked to put Australia into the lead and they only continued from there.

Two more goals, one from Emily Hurtz and Brooke Peris, in the third quarter was enough to see the Hockeyroos take out the Tri Nations.

It's not the last meeting of Australia and New Zealand as they head to the World Cup in six weeks time and are in the same Pool along with Belgium and Japan.