New Zealand me'ns hockey team has been thrashed 6-1 by world champions Australia in Cairns.
The Australians, who led 2-1 at half-time, were quick on the counter-attack, allowing them to create opportunities and capitalise on them throughout the game.
Black Sticks coach Shane McLeod says the result is disappointing, but sometimes the biggest losses are the biggest learnings.
Rob Hammond started the scoring for Australia in the 11th minute when he converted a penalty corner, and Des Abbott made it 2-0 two minutes later.
Palmerston North's Nick Wilson put the Black Sticks on the scoreboard in the 20th minute when he scored from a tight angle thanks to a good pass from Simon Child.
The Australians got on a roll early in the second half, with Russell Ford scoring in the 36th minute then soon after Joel Carroll converted a penalty corner taking it to 4-1.
With 10 minutes left to play, Ford got his second goal of the night as did Abbott in the final minute.
The Black Sticks play their second test against Australia on Saturday night.
