The Silver Ferns sense the Australian netball side is more vulnerable than they have been in the wake of the retirement or withdrawal of leading players.
The two sides play the first test in the Constellation Cup series in Invercargill on Sunday evening.
New Zealand had the better of the five tests the two teams played last year, winning three of those including the last test in Hamilton in November.
The Diamonds are without the likes of Sharelle McMahon, Catherine Cox, Mo'onia Gerarad and Natalie von Bertouch and the new Silver Ferns assistant coach and former Australian international Vicki Wilson says that lack of experience will take a toll.
The second test is in Auckland next week, before three matches in Australia.
