By Carl Markham, PA Sport

Deposed champions Australia had a point to prove after being dumped out by England and they chose the bronze medal play-off to make it.

Much has been said about the demise of the all-conquering Hockeyroos but in truth this current side is going through a transitional phase following a number of retirements after winning gold at the Sydney Olympics.

However, they are also reigning world champions, and the onus was on them to prove just how good they really are after being turned over by the hosts in the semi-final.

And they did that with an efficient but not overpowering performance as their class told in the second half.

The Hockeyroos took the lead in the seventh minute when Julie Towers crossed for Carmel Bakurski to net at the far post.

It took the Blacksticks - inspired by an impromptu performance of the Haka by a group of male spectators before the start - just three minutes to equalise.

Niniwa Roberts-Lang's run into the circle saw her collide with goalkeeper Rachel Imison and while the pair were entangled on the floor Amanda Christie slotted home.

Four minutes later Australia were in front again when Jo Banning at the near post roofed a shot beyond Helen Clarke.

But New Zealand were unwilling to lie down and watched by International Olympic Committee chairman Jacques Rogge they equalised for a second time in the 22nd minute when Jaimee Provan followed in Roberts-Lang's penalty corner rebound.

It took Australia nine minutes after the interval to reclaim the lead. Nikki Hudson went on a tricky run on the right of the D and when her shot was half-saved by Clarke, Ngaire Smith was on hand to stab home.

And less than a minute later captain Triny Powell, her left arm heavily strapped due the aggravation of an old injury, fired home from the top of the D to make it 4-2 and clinch victory.

New Zealand tried to fight back and Imison was forced into a useful penalty corner save from Diana Weavers four minutes from time but the Kiwis could not find a way of breaking down an Aussie defence which had tightened up considerably in the second half.

With just seven seconds Suzie Pearce fired home from the top of the circle but it was too little, too late.

Afterwards Hockeyroos captain Triny Powell said although the team were disappointed to have lost their Commonwealth crown, they could take some satisfaction from winning the bronze medal.

"We are not used to playing off for third and fourth," said Powell.

"To walk away with a medal is something we may not appreciate now but I am sure at the end of our careers an extra medal in the cabinet is something to look back on."

Powell said that the squad was still re-adjusting from several retirements after winning gold at the Sydney Olympics in 2000 and the two sets of players could not be compared.

"The group is totally different (from the Olympic gold-wining squad). This tournament is one way to move forward ourselves," she added.

"It was quite an important tournament for us, especially at the moment, because a lot of new people get involved and it gives us an idea of what the Olympics will be like and for a lot of us that is quite important so we don't get over-awed.

"It is tough in hockey now because England are a very good country and New Zealand were the surprise package."

Powell said she had no intention of quitting, not with the Champions Trophy in Macau, China, later this month followed by the World Cup in Perth in November.

"If my feelings after we lost England are anything to go by there is still a lot of passion there," she added.