Netball
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Diamonds aim to defuse Maria Folau to clinch Constellation Cup

Netball

The Diamonds have cleared the air with match officials and question if New Zealand's reliance on long shots is sustainable as they prepare to strike back in the Constellation Cup.

Australian coach Lisa Alexander cut a steely figure ahead of the series decider in Wellington on Thursday, admitting it was painful to dwell on Sunday's 55-44 loss in Hamilton.

The result not only ended a nine-match winning streak over the Silver Ferns, it injected the rebuilding hosts with much-needed confidence.

Australia were penalised out of the third Test, with umpires cracking down on their vigorous one-on-one defending. The visitors conceded 81 penalties to 45, with 64 of the offences for contact.

Alexander and captain Caitlin Bassett scrutinised match footage with the umpires on Wednesday and emerged satisfied they were on the same wavelength.

"We obviously have quite a physical brand of game and we don't want to back away from that," Bassett told AAP.

"But we need to work on coming around the body and being a bit cleaner.

"We don't want to get penalised out of the game so it's about adjusting while we're out there."

Alexander said they had also devised plans to stymie Silver Ferns gun Maria Folau, whose long-range shots netted 40 from 41 in Hamilton.

The Australians say they'll look to unsettle the 31-year-old, whose return in her five previous Tests this year was a more fallible 145-from-168, or 86 per cent.

"(Long range) is always high-risk," Alexander said.

"If we can get in a position where we put a bit more pressure on Maria outside the circle as well, it is tough to continue that high level for that long."

Alexander plans to field an unchanged seven through the Test unless things aren't working.

Multiple changes at every break in Hamilton helped an unchanged New Zealand establish control as the match wore on.

New Zealand must win by 14 goals to lift the Constellation Cup on goal differential and end Australia's five-year reign as holders.

Only one previous series was decided that way, in 2015.

The Silver Ferns needed to win the fourth Test by 14 in Perth and nearly did so.

Australia snared the silverware, just, when Bassett sunk three late goals in a 58-47 loss.

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