Silver Ferns coach Noeline Taurua says her team hasn't yet earned the right to be considered the undisputed top of the netball world despite their recent wins over Australia.
Photo: Photosport Ltd 2019
New Zealand lead the best-of-four Constellation Cup against the Diamonds 2-1, with Sunday's clash in Perth to decide the winner.
The Silver Ferns beat Australia by a goal at the World Cup in July, and have twice beaten the Diamonds by the same margin during the current four-match series.
But Taurua just has to take one look at her country's poor Constellation Cup history to know her team has some way to go before it can be considered the best in the world.
New Zealand have won the series just once in nine attempts since its inception in 2010.
That triumph arrived in 2012, with Australia winning the next six from that point on.
Beating Australia in a one-off game at a World Cup or Commonwealth Games is tough.
But beating them over a four-game series is an even bigger challenge, and one that Taurua wants to see her team do consistently.
When asked whether she felt her team was now the hunted after their recent wins over Australia, Taurua replied: "I wish we could be in that position. It's a work in progress.
"This is a bit of a different beast for us in the Constellation Cup. I felt that the Worlds were one-offs.
"But going back-to-back four games in a row - you've got to be quite smart, strategic. You've got to be on your game.
"We haven't had the cup since 2012, and for us to back up from one game to another is a huge improvement.
"I'd like to bask in the glory, but it's not going to happen (until we win)."
A win for Australia in Perth would level the series at 2-2; a result that would secure them the Cup because of a better goal percentage.
CONSTELLATION CUP RESULTS
2010: Australian Diamonds (Won series 2-1)
2011: Australian Diamonds (Won series 3-2)
2012: New Zealand Silver Ferns (Won series 4-1)
2013: Australian Diamonds (Won series 4-1)
2014: Australian Diamonds (Won series 4-0)
2015: Australian Diamonds (Won series 2-2, determined by goal difference)
2016: Australian Diamonds (Won series 3-1)
2017: Australian Diamonds (Won series 4-0)
2018: Australian Diamonds (Won series 3-1)
-AAP