Australia has etched its name on the inaugural Constellation Cup and took the first step towards a Commonwealth Games gold medal with fierce and feisty 46-40 victory over a faltering New Zealand in Auckland on Sunday.
The Silver Ferns handed Australia its second-heaviest defeat (19 goals) in Wellington on Thursday, but that is now a distant memory.
Over 9000 fans were left asking was that win a fluke as New Zealand crumbled under final-quarter pressure to a six-goal loss loss and a 2-1 series defeat.
Australia were two percent more accurate in the shooting circle (84 to 82) and ultimately that proved decisive.
It was a replica performance of the first Test in Adelaide where the Diamonds' defence got the better of New Zealand's shooters and despite the match being locked up at 31-all heading into the final period, the Ferns buckled.
Australian coach Norma Plummer handed disruptive 1.96m defender Susan Fuhrmann his first start of the year, and it paid immediate dividends. The 'Fuhrmannator' tipped Irene van Dyk's shot three times, capitalising on her Game 1 match-turning efforts off the bench.
Under immense pressure from Mo'onia Gerrard and Fuhrmann, the Silver Ferns missed a remarkable seven attempts in the first quarter. Three blunders by van Dyk and four from Maria Tutaia, which gave the Diamonds a 14-9 lead.
Van Dyk steadied, and Australian mid-court turnovers saw New Zealand storm out of the blocks to level it up at 15 a-piece. That was short-lived however, as the visitors pulled away to a four-goal advantage in this see-saw clash.
The momentum swung back New Zealand's way with inspirational captain Casey Williams nabbing two crucial intercepts that were converted to lock it up at 22-all on the half time whistle.
Ferns coach Ruth Aitken saw Fuhrmann had the better of van Dyk so she emulated her Game 2 move by benching her star shooter, introducing Daneka Wipiiti in a bid to give her side more mobility in the attacking circle.
Despite New Zealand committing six turnovers to Australia's one as the intensity lifted in the third period, the two rivals went goal-for-goal.
Quick and accurate Australian shooters Natalie Medhurst and Sharelle McMahon were in superb touch, but so was Katrina Grant. Had it not been for her swooping intuitive intercepts, the Ferns would have trailed heading into the finals stanza, rather than being on level terms at 31-31.
Aitken swapped Liana Barrett-Chase for Laura Langman at wing attack, which saw Temepara George move to centre for the final 15 minutes.
New Zealand's lack of composure and crucial errors when it counted gifted the Diamonds possession as they rocketed out to a five-goal lead with eight minutes to play.
The Ferns searched for answers, pushing Langman back to centre, which sent George to the bench. But it did not matter, as the visitors stretched six goals clear.