Both were desperate, but it was Australia who stepped up to win the crown, defeating defending champions New Zealand 42-38 in a thrilling netball world championship final.

In a classic trans-Tasman battle, Australia's superior defence and lightning-fast passing game won the day, but only just.

The Silver Ferns pushed Australia all the way and, with five minutes to go, there was only one goal separating the two great rivals.

The win further underlined Australia's status as the most successful netball nation in history - now with nine world championships since the tournament started in 1963.

Australia were desperate to win back the championship after losing it in 2003, while New Zealand - carrying the weight of a nation - had one last chance to restore national was their last chance to claw back some pride after a disastrous sporting year.

"It was just desperate," said Australian captain Liz Ellis, a veteran of four world championships.

"It was probably one of the most desperate matches and I've played in a few desperate matches. Everyone just went for the ball."

Ellis' outstanding defence proved decisive.

The champion goalkeeper was relentless as she harried to disrupt supply to New Zealand's great strike weapon, shooter Irene van Dyk.

"Old legs here she just kept pulling them in for us," coach Norma Plummer said of Ellis.

Plummer is sometimes criticised for her lack of smiling, but her grin couldn't have been wider.

"For the ice lady today - it is the best birthday present I could've got," she said.

In an intense start to the match, New Zealand led early, with the Silver Ferns attacking Australia's fast-paced midcourt.

Australia sneaked ahead to lead 13-10 after the first quarter.

But in the second, Australia's defence - led by Ellis and backed by an in-form Selina Gilsenan and Mo'onia Gerrard - stepped up.

Australia led 27-20 at halftime.

Things were not so good for the tournament favourites in the second half, as Australia's shooters struggled.

Over the whole match, Australia's shooting accuracy was poor, at just 70 per cent compared to the Ferns' 83 per cent.

Catherine Cox led Australia's scoring, making 27 from 38 shots, and Sharelle McMahon made seven from 10.

Plummer replaced McMahon with youngster Susan Pratley in the second half and made more changes as New Zealand continued their fightback, before Pratley went off after copping a whack in the eye.

Plummer brought in Julie Prendergast at wing defence and shooter Natalie Medhurst before making another switch to bring back McMahon in place of Cox.

Despite the sellout New Zealand crowd roaring on their side, Australia held off the home team's late burst with McMahon extending the winning margin to four goals.

Plummer said her decision to make so many gutsy changes right up to the end "wasn't difficult at all".

"We backed ourselves and I said I had the depth in the team," she said.

"And that's what I went for."

For New Zealand, the disappointment couldn't have been more obvious.

But coach Ruth Aitken was gracious in defeat.

"Australia did a really good in affecting our flow into the circle," she said.

"For us, it was hard yakka - every phase of play on attack. In the end, we needed the ball into the shooters more often and it didn't happen.

"It is very disappointing, but that's sport. You have got to take the good with the bad."

New Zealand are yet to win a title on home soil and have never won back-to-back championships.

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