The Silver Ferns have lost their first netball Test to England in almost three years, going down 49-45 in the Quad Series in Auckland.
Up 42-39 on Wednesday with just over 10 minutes remaining, the Kiwis conceded a flurry of late goals to Roses offensive duo Helen Housby and Kadeen Corbin. They netted a combined eight goals in the final five minutes to win the match.
The loss all but rules out a Quad Series triumph for Janine Southby's troops, who will again face the Roses this year in a three-Test series.
They had not lost to England since October 2014.
Yet, they struggled to produce the goods in the final third or supply ball to attackers Bailey Mes and Te Paea Selby-Rickit.
Matched in aggression and fight early, the Silver Ferns led 14-10 after the first stanza on the back of some shoddy English shooting and lead-up play.
Roses goal attack Housby missed three shots in the first quarter, while New Zealand picked up five intercepts across the first half.
Yet the English - particularly Housby and Corbin - lifted in the following stanza, briefly leading 20-19 and going into halftime three behind at 26-23.
The English kept up the fight and were duly rewarded, reeling in the Kiwis and putting them away in the final minutes.
English centre Serena Guthrie was a constant presence around the court, ably assisted by fellow midcourters Beth Cobden and Chelsea Pitman.
By the end, the Roses had secured nine intercepts to seven, made two more defensive rebounds than the Kiwis and turned over less ball.
