Silver Ferns coach Waimarama Taumaunu said there was no special motivation for her side as they upset Australia in pool play at the World Cup in Sydney, rather she was just happy with the confidence her side showed.
Maria Tutaia shoots for goal in the Silver Ferns' pool games against Australia. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
It was the first time New Zealand had beaten the Diamonds since 2013, having lost their last nine Test matches against Australia - including the gold medal match at the Commonwealth Games.
Taumaunu wasn't getting carried away with the win though. She said it's just one game, and there were plenty of aspects of their play that were encouraging.
"The confidence to let long ball go and that was particularly Kayla and Laura. It didn't always come off but we stayed confident and continued to do so until the end.
Tauamaunu was most pleased with both ends of her team.
"Bailey's (Mes) composure and her partnership with Maria (Tutaia) and the seemlessness of the change at goal defence for us."
The record crowd of 16,233 spectators packed the Sydney Olympic Park Arena for the World Cup clash between the teams ranked numbers one and two in the world.
There were no surprises in the Silver Ferns' starting line-up with Tutaia at goal attack, Mes goal shoot and Laura Langman in her traditional centre role.
Tutaia had some shooting wobbles at the start, only scoring nine from 15 in the first spell, but she took the bulk of the shooting load to lead New Zealand to a 15-12 advantage in the first quarter.
New Zealand maintained a three-goal advantage until half-time when the score was 29-26.
The Silver Ferns Bailey Mes takes the ball from Laura Geitz 2015. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Australia made a number of tweaks to their line-up after the main break, but the only change for the Ferns was the introduction of Leana de Bruin at goal defence in place of Katrina Grant.
At one point the Silver Ferns pulled out to an eight-goal lead during the third quarter but went into the final break 40-34 ahead.
The home side were unable to turn the deficit around in the final quarter as the Ferns used an an injury time-out to compose themselves and clinch top spot in Pool A.
Tutaia finished with 34 from 48 and Mes 18 from 21.
New Zealand put up 69 attempts to Australia's 57.
The Silver Ferns enjoy a modest celebration following their World Cup pool game win over Australia, 2015. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Both sides progress to the next stage of the tournament in which the top eight teams from the four preliminary pools are formed into two qualifying pools to battle for places in the semi-finals.
