Australia are queens of the netball court after claiming a 46-40 victory over world champions New Zealand in Christchurch. The result clinched a 2-1 victory in the three-test series.

The result was an important psychological boost for the Aussies, whose next date with their bitter rivals is at the World Championships in Fiji next year.

Commenting on the setback, New Zealand coach Ruth Aitken said a lot of work needed to be done over the summer in preparation for the Silver Ferns’ world-title defence.

"We wanted to win this series but in nine months time at the world champs, it'll be all on,’’ she said. "Any time you lose, it is a psychological blow but it is what we do and how we react to it that is important. Certainly we can turn this around - we've got a lot of work to do but we can do it."

New Zealand went into the match as favourites after their brilliant display in the second Test in Auckland. And with goalers Irene van Dyk and promising 19-year old Maria Tutaia in flawless form, the Kiwis led 12-10 at quarter-time.

Australia then started to exert control with defenders Mo’onia Gerrard and Liz Ellis choking the supply of van Dyk and Tutaia, who managed only one goal in the second period. Nevertheless, Australia did well be level at 20-20 at half-time, considering the Silver Ferns were shooting an incredible 95 per cent, while Australia’s goalers Susan Pratley and Sharelle McMahon could only manage a lame 71 per cent.