New Australian netball coach Lisa Alexander says it's time for her side to tear up the script and end the alternating wins between her team and arch-rivals New Zealand.

Since 2009, over 10 games, the teams have taken turns at winning, meaning the Silver Ferns are due a victory in the series-deciding Test at Melbourne's Hisense Arena on Sunday afternoon.

But Alexander, who took over from Norma Plummer as national coach after this year's thrilling world championship win over New Zealand in July, is ready for a new chapter as Australia look to hold onto the Constellation Cup they won in 2010.

"We need to understand that we're not into taking turns and that we want to win two in a row," Alexander said.

Another trend the coach wants to put to rest is her team's slow start - the Australians have trailed the Kiwis at halftime in each of the four Tests of this series, with two played earlier in New Zealand.

"We need to start learning how to dominate the first half," she said.

"In the same breath you have to respect your opponent, who are outstanding, so you've got to be patient as well because you're not always going to get on top right at the start.

"But I would prefer us to be in front and build on a lead."

The Silver Ferns left 201-Test veteran shooter Irene van Dyk out of their line-up for the seven-point loss in Adelaide, with Cathrine Latu performing well in her first Test against Australia.

But with the Constellation Cup riding on the result, 39-year-old van Dyk is a certainty to return in Melbourne.

"You're not going to leave one of your strike shooters off again, particularly after a loss," Alexander said.

"Their top seven has most likely got Irene van Dyk in it, even if she goes out to goal attack."

The Australian coach was delighted with the way her side improved their intensity in Adelaide after their disappointing one-point loss in Perth, and cut their error rate.

"We reduced our errors significantly, by about six over the whole game and we're hoping for a similar drop in this Test.

"If we do that and keep up the intensity the result will take care of itself."

She said she was still looking for the Diamonds to apply more pressure defensively.

The New Zealanders haven't won a series on Australian soil since 1981, when they won Tests in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane - one record that Alexander does hope holds up.