New Zealand – 55 Australia – 60 (Be sure to refresh your browser regularly)
The Ferns were much improved but there's still some way to go before they can truly test the Australians. Full game wrap is available here.
Fourth quarter
1:15 - Crucial long-range shot from Bassett and that could be the nail in the coffin.
3:20 - Aussie clinical under the net. Time running out for NZ.
4:20 - Dunn again after the quick Folau goal, NZ keeping themsleves within range.
5:50 - Good ball movement from the Kiwis and the rookie Dunn converts.
7:50 - Folau now - three quickies and the lead is back to six.
10:00 - Another terrific steal by the Aussie defense. NZ having to work hard for every basket.
12:41 - Bassett again as they stretch to a double-figure lead.
14:00 - Aussie start with another quick double through Bassett.
Third quarter
00:15 - Tippett with the highlight reel play, takes her two steps and lays one in to close the quarter.
1:15 - Bullet pass inside, Bassett converts.
3:20 - Langman responds with some deft inside passing to pull the lead back to four.
4:40 - Langman harrassed and she throws it away, Aussie punish them.
5:15 - Watson and Bruce exchange steals, Folau hits the straight-away bucket.
5:45 - Great ball inside for Tippett, they're pulling away now.
8:35 - Physical Aussie defense starting to impose itself. They stretch the lead to seven.
10:00 - Bassett so strong under the basket. Selby-Rickett misses from deep and Aussie swing back and grab another.
11:30 - NZ grab the steal but Aussie respond with one of their own.
14:00 - Fast start to the second half for Australia with two quick goals. Folau pulls one back from the baseline.
HALFTIME - Encouraging signs from NZ, hugely improved with their shooting. Join us bak here shortly for the start of the second half.
Second quarter
1:00 - Tippett makes her 12th shot in 12 attempts, Selby-Rickett with a beauty from the carpark. And that will do us for halftime.
2:10 - Selby-Rickett shooting well, sinks one more from deep.
4:00 - Folau works hard to win position then puts one through. Bassett misses from close range but gets her own rebound and puts it back in.
4:45 - Tippett continues her impressive play with a dazzling intercept, which NZ quickly reclaim with an intercept of their own.
6:30 - More superb defense wins the ball for NZ. Folau steps up and splashes another to close the gap.
8:30 - NZ defense wins a turnover, they work it into the circle and Folau makes no mistake.
10:40 - Momentum swinging towards the Aussies.
11:50 - Folau stays on target, this time from the baseline. The towering Bassett gets great position under the net for another and the Aussie defense earns a turnover.
14:30 - Langman threads one to Folau and down it goes. Selby-Rickett puts in another, and Folau swoops in to bring them within two.
First quarter - NZ 10, Aus 16
00:20 - Folau hits one as the quarter draws to a close, and Bassett sneaks in another.
2:25 - The hosts starting to get into a groove now. Selby-Rickett bricks one from close range.
4:20 - Tippett a menace within the circle, puts Aussie up two.
5:45 - Selby-Rickett sinks a tidy baseline shot. Back and forth contest here in the opening stages.
7:30 - Bassett puts Australia in the lead, Selby Rickett ties it back up.
8:45 - Selby-Rickett misses two, one from close range. Lucky rebound and it's Folau again with the bucket.
9:50 - Folau and Langman combine well on the edge of the circle, down goes another one.
10:48 - Seby-Rickett puts one into the cluds and it's nothing but net.
11:45 - Folau again from mid-range. 100% so far.
13:00 - Aussie get on the board then nab a steal.
14:05 - Folau splashes her first from long range. Selby-Rickett follows with a successful opening atempt of her own.
14:45 - Katrina Grant makes her presence felt early with a steal in the circle.
3:20pm - Hilarious false start for the Aussies as the DJ hits play on the wrong tune, twice. The crowd loves it.
3:18pm - One of the more operatic renditions of the NZ anthem you're ever likely to hear. Fair play.
3:16pm - Here we go, the teams are lined up and the light have dimmed, anthems underway.
3:13pm - Aaaand we're still in the changing sheds. Hold tight, people.
3:05pm - The girls are out on the court warming up, we shouldn't be too far away from anthems.
3pm - Fantastic opening salvo in the double header from Melbourne as England fought back to sink South Africa at the death by three goals.
Kia ora and welcome to live updates of the Silver Ferns' clash with the Diamonds from Melbourne Arena.
With the Quad Series on the line, there's still plenty at stake for both sides. The Ferns are looking to snap a six-game losing streak against the world champions, and a win by six goals or more would also see them clinch the tournament title.
Commentary will start from around 3pm. In the meantime check out the video above for a preview of tonight's showdown.
Head to head:
New Zealand - $4.75 Australia - $1.16
Pre-match banter
Australian-style defense boosting Ferns – Liz Ellis
Liz Ellis has one piece of advice for the Silver Ferns in their bid to beat Australia on Sunday – be more Australian.
The revamped Ferns will take on the world champions in Melbourne, looking to snap a six-game losing streak against their trans-Tasman neighbours.
The Australian veteran has been impressed by what she’s seen from new coach Noeline Taurua, in particular the adjustments she’s made defensively.
"I think she has had a real good look at the Australian style of defence and believes its worthwhile exploring," Ellis told RadioLIVE's Sunday Sport.
"I don't know if the Ferns will implement this all the time - they may look to mix it up a bit with the zone defence which is something Australia does when needed. I think it is a great move by Noeline to have a couple options up her sleeve.
"They look a lot more Australian playing a one-on-one style of defence which can be hard to change things up and takes time for everyone to become comfortable."
Ellis says there's clearly a new found confidence within the squad under Taurua, who she believes has had a rejuvenating effect on a couple of players.
"Katrina Grant has had a new lease of life under Noeline. I really like what she has been doing so far and I really like what Jane Watson has brought to the defensive circle.
"I think they are playing with a confidence we haven't seen in four years. If you look back at the Commonwealth Games campaign there was no confidence in the squad and very little rapport between coach and players.
"Noeline Taurua is a player's coach – she was a player, she knows how to communicate effectively with her squad and she knows what it is like to compete at that level."
"Their demeanour is excellent and a complete turnaround from what we saw just a couple of months ago."
The performances of two of the Ferns lynchpins will dictate New Zealand's chances, says Ellis.
"If Maria Folau fires then the Ferns are in with a massive chance. I think if she can find that form she showed against South Africa, against Karla Pretorius, who is one of the best defenders in the world right now, so it's not like she had it easy.
"The Diamonds will also be very weary of Laura. She is one of the very best players in the world. But the test for her will be whether she has missed that level of intensity the last 12 months."
Newshub.
