New Zealand teams continue to struggle in netball's trans Tasman competition, with only the Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic in the top four with two games to go in round four.
The Southern Steel's 54-41 loss in Adelaide leaves them seventh with two wins and two losses, while the Thunderbirds' third win has them in second just behind the Queensland Firebirds on goal difference and just ahead of the Magic.
Tonight, Canterbury host the fourth-placed Melbourne Vixens and New South Wales play the Central Pulse in the late game in Sydney.
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