Australia's women's basketball team are one win away from securing a place at next year's Rio Olympics after beating New Zealand by 20 points in the first of two qualifying games.
The 61-41 victory at a packed Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne on Saturday extended the Opals' unbeaten record against the Tall Blacks in the Oceania championships dating back to 1974.
They can even lose the second leg in Tauranga, New Zealand, on Monday by 19 points or less to automatically qualify for the 2016 Olympics.
If successful, it'll mark their sixth Games in a row - having contested and medalled at each since Atlanta in 1996.
Coach Brendan Joyce gave all 12 players a run, with skipper Suzy Batkovic leading the way with 16 points and seven rebounds.
Rachel Jarry continued her impressive return from a long-term knee injury, adding eight points and three rebounds.
While the world No. 2 side finished convincingly, they struggled in front of the basket early on.
They landed just 10 from 38 shots in the first half, for a 10-point lead at quarter-time and 12 at the main break.
The Tall Ferns were no better despite a heap of offensive opportunities, netting only five of 37.
But a pep talk from a fiery Joyce at halftime seemed to put a sparkle back in the Opals, who went on to dominate.
They enjoyed a 21-point buffer at the final change, but failed to extend it in the final quarter.
The game, as part of a double-header with the Boomers, attracted more than 13,000 fans - the biggest basketball crowd in Australia since the Sydney 2000 Olympics.
