The Black Sticks Women beat Canada 5-1 in the second test, at the Gallagher Hockey Centre in Hamilton yesterday afternoon.
New Zealand was in control throughout the game against a valiant Canada side which put together some good phases of play.
Striker Charlotte Harrison scored her second successive brace and Kayla Whitelock, Gemma Flynn and Jordan Grant added to the tally.
Head coach Mark Hager said there were both positives and negatives to take from the game, but it was a pleasing way to head into the Hawkes Bay Cup which starts on Saturday.
‘‘We went through the motions at times today and were a little bit lacklustre, but it's always good to score five goals and come away with a win,'' he said.
‘‘Canada played well and created a lot of chances so that was another good test for us in the lead-up to Rio later in the year.
‘‘We will now go away, reassess and prepare for our first game at the Hawkes Bay Cup against India on Saturday.''
Harrison opened the scoring in the 10th minute through a powerful forehand shot.
The host team extended its lead three minutes later, when Whitelock slipped the ball past the feet of Canadian goalkeeper Rowan Harris.
Canada responded early in the second quarter and pulled one goal back, thanks to a cracking shot from the stick of Thea Culley.
Just out from halftime, New Zealand pushed the advantage further following a brilliant solo run along the baseline and a fine finish from Flynn.
The momentum stayed with the Black Sticks coming out of the break with another goal from the restart when Kirsten Pearce found Grant in front of goal for a slick finish.
Harrison brought up her double from a penalty corner in the 39th minute when Whitelock found her on the post for a deflection into the net.
New Zealand won the first test 6-0, on Sunday.
The Black Sticks now travel to Hastings for the Hawkes Bay Cup from April 2-10, which is important preparation for the Champions Trophy in London (June) and Rio Olympic Games in August.
New Zealand (world ranking 4th) finished runner-up at last year's Hawkes Bay Cup and this time will battle it out against Australia (3rd), China (5th), Korea (9th), Japan (10th), India (13th), Ireland (15th) and Canada (19th).
NZ v Canada
The scores
Black Sticks: 5
Charlotte Harrison 2, Kayla Whitelock, Gemma Flynn, Jordan Grant
Canada: 1
Thea Culley
Halftime: Black Sticks 3-1
