Karin Burger and Sophie Garbin contest the ball in the Constellation Cup. Photo: AAP/Photosport
The Silver Ferns took a quarter off their their Australian rivals, but had no answer over the second half of their second Constellation Cup test in Sydney, falling 68-51.
New Zealand enjoyed a 15-11 second quarter that had them within two goals at halftime, but surrendered their momentum after the main break, when the Diamonds dominated 21-9.
The Ferns struggled to find ace shooter Grace Nweke under goal, but had some success, when coach Yvette McCausland-Durie replaced rookie Martina Salmon with Georgia Heffernan at goal attack.
The margin matched the 69-52 margin at Melbourne five days earlier and the two teams now cross the ditch to resume their rivalry in Hamilton on Sunday.
