New Zealand held on for a 3-2 win over Australia in the final of the Four Nations women's hockey tournament in Auckland.
Black Sticks captain Kayla Sharland ignored a worrying knee injury to lead New Zealand to a 3-2 win over Australia in the women's Four Nations hockey final in Auckland on Monday.
The Australians had a chance to equalise in the dying minutes but the Black Sticks held on in front of a vocal home crowd.
Sharland scored after 11 minutes off a controversial penalty corner and went to the break 1-0 up before converting again early in the second half.
Hockeyroos coach Adam Commens said the Black Sticks dictated play in the first before momentum changed after half time.
"We really stepped it up in the second, they had limited chances and we were able to score twice off penalty corners," he said.
"Our younger players stepped it up and performed well but we still have a lot to work on."
Anna Flanagan and Jodie Schulz both scored off well-executed drag flicks.
Jade Warrender, Georgia Nanscawen, Emily Smith and Flanagan were the Hockeyroos best in a hard fought contest.
"Whilst we won the first three matches heading into this final, we need more consistency, we can't afford lapses in the way we play," Commens said.
In the bronze medal match, the United States beat India 1-0 in golden goal extra time.
The Hockeyroos face New Zealand again in the first match of a second Four Nations event in Auckland on Wednesday.
