FORMER Warwick player Clare McMeniman had an impact in defence in the second half as the Australian Diamonds beat New Zealand in the Constellation Cup on Thursday night.

The Australian Diamonds have taken a commanding grip on retaining the Constellation Cup after defeating New Zealand 58-48 in a hard-fought second Test at Auckland's Vector Arena.

The lead chopped and changed for three quarters before the Diamonds got on top of the Silver Ferns just before three-quarter time.

Then a dominant final quarter performance by the Diamonds - including scoring the last seven goals of the game - saw them power away to a 10-goal victory and they return home with a 2-0 lead in the four-Test series.

A victory in Sunday's third Test at Melbourne's Hisense Arena will see Australia claim the Constellation Cup for the third straight year.

Natalie Medhurst shot well and was named the Most Valuable Player for the second straight game in her 75^th Test, which took to her outright 10^th on the all-time list of matches played for Australia.

Diamonds coach Lisa Alexander ran the changes in the second half with Clare McMeniman, who started at wing defence for the injured Renae Ingles, moving back to goal defence to replace Sharni Layton.

Gabi Simpson took over the wing defence bib and Gretel Tippett became Australia's 165^th Test player when she came into wing attack for Paige Hadley late in the third quarter.

It also meant the Australia's entire front court was made up of players from the reigning ANZ Championship premiers Queensland Firebirds.

Australian captain Laura Geitz was again a tireless workhorse in the defensive circle and showed her class by producing a couple of timely deflections at crucial stages of the game. Her contest with Silver Ferns' shooter Bailey Mes was one of the highlights of the match.

The Diamonds will travel to Melbourne today (Friday) ahead of the third Test at Hisense Arena on Sunday.