Jodie Schulz Australia clears the ball under pressure from Charlotte Harrison, New Zealand. Picture: KIM EISZELE

The Hockeyroos withstood a late and ferocious challenge to edge their Trans-Tasman rivals 2-1 at the Tasmanian Hockey Centre in Hobart last night.

Australian defender Anna Flanagan bagged her first international goals but was arguably shaded for best afield honours by goalkeeper Rachael Lynch.

Lynch made a string of crucial saves late in the match with her heroics extending to an unbelievable stick save in the 68th minute.

With the Australian defence split open, Lynch denied a thundering strike by an unmarked New Zealand player to deny an equaliser.

Hockeyroos coach Adam Commens said he was impressed with his young’s side’s fighting qualities in the second half to withstand tremendous pressure.

“New Zealand are a quality side and one of the better teams in the world, so to be able to get a victory against them is great,” Commens said.

Commens noted a head injury to Hockeyroo skipper Madonna Blyth had swung momentum back into the hands of the Black Sticks with 20 minutes remaining.

“The turning point was when Madonna went off the pitch and to lose a player of her experience and calibre was a blow to the side,” he said.

“To our credit, however, we held on and hopefully we can build on this effort and really progress and assert our authority in the coming matches”.

Earlier, in wet conditions world No. 6 New Zealand began the match in emphatic fashion with powerful striker Katie Glynn finding the back of the net in just the third minute.

The Australians, ranked one position lower than their rivals, worked their way back into the match with Flanagan converting a penalty stroke in the 25th minute.

Flanagan, just 19, and already with 33 caps, gave the Hockeyroos the advantage just minutes before half-time with an unstoppable penalty corner flick.

Australia appeared to coast in the second half, with Kobie McGurk and Blyth industrious as the home side held possession and the slim advantage.

The match was turned on its head with Blyth leaving the field with a head wound.

The loss of Blyth could be a defining moment in the series, with New Zealand enjoying a wealth of possession and attacking opportunities after her departure.

Lynch was called upon a number of times, before her spectacular stick save sewed up an important psychological victory for the Hockeyroos over their highly fancied opponents.

AUSTRALIA 2 (Anna Flanagan 25m pen, 32m pen) d NEW ZEALAND 1 (Katie Glynn 4m).

Via The Mercury.