The Silver Ferns shade Diamonds in Constellation Cup

New Zealand have edged Australia 54-53 in another trans-Tasman netball classic to take a 2-1 lead in the four-match Constellation Cup series.

The Silver Ferns trailed by six goals early but sparked by veterans Laura Langman and Maria Folau, the world champions fought their way back in front of 13,497 fans at Sydney's Qudos Bank Arena on Sunday.

"We had our opportunities in the second quarter to really push on and we didn't and that shows the character of the Silver Ferns and the rivalry of the two teams," Diamonds coach Lisa Alexander said.

"They are still using their patient ball really, really smartly at the right times and we're still not able to get ball back in that situation."

Australian-born Ameliaranne Ekenasio made the winning shot with 20 seconds remaining after both teams made errors in a pressure-packed final five minutes.

"The last two minutes was sheer determination and grit," Ferns' coach Noeline Taurua said.

It's New Zealand's first Test win over the Diamonds in Australia in three years.

The Silver Ferns can clinch just their second Constellation Cup series win in 10 attempts and their first in seven years if they win the final match in Perth next Sunday.

"It would be massive and it's an an opportunity for us after the world cup," player of the match Langman said.

"We really do want to send this new-age Ferns into the future and have a little bit of dominance in our side."

It was another heartbreaker for the Diamonds after one-goal defeats in the Commonwealth Games and World Cup finals as well as the opening match of their current series.

Australia got an early jump, with slick passing and five straight goals setting up an 8-2 lead, with mid-courters Ash Brazill and Laura Scherian prominent.

New Zealand got back to within three by quarter-time.

"In the first quarter we were hanging on for dear life," Taurua said.

The Diamonds also started the second quarter well, again establishing a six-goal buffer, but their opposition reduced the deficit to one with a 5-0 run.

Alexander replaced goal attack Gretel Tippett, who had made all 12 of her shots, with Tegan Philip who missed her first two attempts.

Australia led 30-26 at the half but he Ferns made an 8-1 run to start the third to lead 34-31.

Five minutes into the quarter, Alexander made three changes with goalkeeper Sarah Klau, Philip and shooter Caitlin Thwaites replacing Courtney Bruce, Tippett and Caitlin Bassett.

Alexander said the changes worked but rued the absence through injury of mid-courter Paige Hadley.

Australia regained momentum, taking a 43-42 advantage into the final quarter only for New Zealand to hit back and lead 48-45.

The Diamonds led 52-50 with about five minutes to play but couldn't close it out.