It was never expected to be close and it certainly wasn't as the Silver Ferns eased past Malawi in the first test in Wellington tonight with a 70-32 win.
The Ferns, who were smarting from their recent 4-1 Constellation Cup drubbing at the hands of Australia, wanted to come to the TSB Bank Arena and make a statement against the world No 5.
They didn't do it in spectacular fashion but they steadily improved throughout the contest as they eventually cruised past the Queens.
For a fleeting moment, Malawi held the lead when they were up 2-0 during the opening minutes.
Malawi's advantage was short-lived though and New Zealand quickly eased out to a lead of their own.
Malawi did bring it back to 8-8 but once the Silver Ferns got a few passes to stick they moved to a 14-10 lead after the first quarter.
Silver Ferns coach Waimarama Taumaunu took the opportunity to trial a few things as Katrina Grant was commissioned in the unfamiliar role of wing defence.
Grant is usually more accustomed to the goal keep position but took advantage of the opportunity to roam the court given the freedom wing defence offers.
With Grant out of the circle, her Central Pulse teammate Te Huinga Reo Selby-Rickit was able to make her test debut at goal defence on her home court.
Leana de Bruin partnered Selby-Rickit in the defensive circle and grabbed two intercepts and a rebound during a busy first half.
The second quarter was where the Silver Ferns really stretched their legs as they opened up a sizeable advantage on the scoreboard as their superior height, ball security and delivery in to the shooting circle came to the fore.
By halftime the score read 34-18 in favour of New Zealand and any thoughts of this outing being competitive were well and truly extinguished.
With Camilla Lees still on the sidelines, Taumaunu continues to search for a wing attack and Shannon Francois was given the opportunity to impress tonight and looked nervous during the opening quarter.
The Southern Steel 23-year-old eventually made her way in to the game though and appeared more comfortable as the contest went on.
Taumaunu resisted the urge to use her bench as the third quarter got underway and New Zealand looked to build on their 16-goal advantage from the first half.
Irene van Dyk, who is in a battle with Cathrine Latu to win the goal shoot bib, shot 39 from 44 for the contest and was her typical resolute self under the hoop.
Jodi Brown was given the rare opportunity to start at goal attack in place of Maria Tutaia but made a couple of errors early on as she finished the game with 31 goals from 40 attempts.
By the end of the third quarter, the Silver Ferns led 50-27 and their bench looked relaxed at the prospect of taking the rest of the game in from their court-side seats.
Centre Laura Langman was her usual ball of energy from centre as Taumaunu let her starting seven complete a full game as she didn't make any changes during the fourth and final quarter.
The Silver Ferns won the final stanza 20-5, which summed up the game.
The series moves to Napier for game two of the three-test series on Sunday.
Silver Ferns 70 (Irene van Dyk 39/44, Jodi Brown 31/40) Malawi 32 (Mwai Kumwenda 24/28, Joyce Mvula 7/9, Jane Chimaliro 1/3) 1Q: 14-10, HT: 34-18, 3Q: 50-27
- Daniel Richardson of APNZ
