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One-goal win:Jubilation for the Silver Ferns after the final whistle.Credit:PA

Unlike Alexander who made four changes to the side that beat South Africa in the semi-final,Taurua stuck with the same line-up for the third successive match.

But Alexander denied switching her side had anything to do with the defeat and said her youthful side should take great encouragement at the way they fought back from seven goals down in the second half to almost snatch the game.

"We're terribly proud of them and they have done everything we have asked from them,"she said.

"From a high performance point of view you couldn't get athletes that are more professional. We have said in the change rooms that we want people to be hurting and for them to remember that.

Australia's Jo Weston during the Netball World Cup final in Liverpool.Credit:PA

"That helps drive athletes to higher levels of performance in training. This group will now go on to the next cycle and improve from that."

The defeat denied Australia a fourth successive world title as New Zealand lifted the trophy for the first time since 2003.

In a sixth straight World Cup final match-up between the two nations,the game was a predictably tight affair with the lead changing hands on numerous occasions in the opening exchanges.

However,New Zealand broke the game open just before half-time with three quickfire unanswered goals and never surrendered the lead again despite a late fightback from the Diamonds.

Disappointment for the Diamonds.Credit:AP

Alexander said the disappointment of defeat was different to the sinking feeling she felt when England stole the gold medal match last year with a last-second goal to stun the red-hot favourites.

"It's very different to last year where we were ahead by six going in to the final quarter so it was far more of a shock,"she said."This one we were behind and trying to catch up.

"We were fantastic in the second half and just needed one more turnover to take the game into extra time. I would have backed us in that. I thought our legs were holding out and we were ready to go."

- AAP