A revitalised and re-energised Silver Ferns side have stamped their mark in the opening Constellation Cup netball test, beating Australia 56-48 at Auckland's Spark Arena.
New Zealand's strong start edged them ahead of the Aussies, leading by 11 goals after the first quarter. The visitors looked frazzled and frustrated, with the ball flying into Ferns goal shoot Grace Nweke with ease.
A lead against Australia doesn't mean much - especially in a Constellation Cup match, and the visitors did the inevitable and made a comeback with multiple changes paying dividends.
The injection of Jamie-Lee Price into centre and Sunday Aryang into goal defence gave Australia a much-needed boost, coming within three goals in the third quarter. But two clutch intercepts to Ferns goal defence Phoenix Karaka and another from goal keep Kelly Jury enabled the home side to edge ahead in the final quarter.
The third shortest player in Silver Ferns history was the unsung hero. Northern Mystics wing attack Peta Toeava earned her first start in the black dress, and like she often does in a Mystics dress, she impressed. It was just her fourth test for the Ferns, but inexperience was nowhere to be seen.