There was plenty of pace, but little fluency as the Australian Diamonds stuttered to a 50-44 win over the Silver Ferns in Tuesday's first Constellation Cup Test in Christchurch.
Two months on from Australia's 58-55 World Cup win, both teams had made changes but some things stayed the same.
Australia's uncompromising defence was ever-present, pressuring every pass, and the customary Diamonds' speed in attack didn't miss a beat.
Paige Hadley stepped up to fill the gap at wing attack after Kim Green's retirement, while Sharni Layton slotted in for Julie Corletto at goal defence smoothly.
And Gabi Simpson made a solid fist of her debut for Australia at wing defence after injury forced Renae Ingles from the court midway through the second quarter.
The Silver Ferns had a more settled line-up, but the absence of goal attack Maria Tutaia - on an extended sabbatical - was sorely felt.
Although Jodi Brown worked tirelessly and shot well in sinking 20 from 25, Tutaia's experience and influence in running the attacking third were missed.
Neither team managed to stamp any real authority on the opening quarter, the Silver Ferns' zone defence clogging up the midcourt as the Diamonds struggled for fluency.
Ahead 14-13 after 15 minutes, the Australians looked set to run away with the second spell.
But although they forced the turnovers, their conversion rate wasn't quite there and the Kiwis were still in touch at 26-22 behind at the main break.
Katrina Grant replaced Leana de Bruin at goal defence, and combined well with skipper Casey Kopua in slowing the Diamonds' ball speed inside the circle.
Caitlin Bassett and Natalie Medhurst weren't as accurate as normal - Bassett finishing on 38 from 44 and Medhurst converting 12 of 14 - but the volume of ball into the circle meant that didn't matter.
Ahead 40-34 at the three-quarter mark, the Australians worked hard through the final 15 minutes to shut out the win as the Kiwis matched them goal for goal.
The second match of the four-Test series is on Thursday in Auckland.
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