South Coast duo's Hockeyroos fight back to share spoils with Black Sticks

The result is the second stalemate in as many days between the teams who cannot be split with two matches to go in the series.

Despite dominating large periods of the game, the Hockeyroos, whose squad features Mollymook's Kalindi Commerford and Gerringong's Grace Stewart, were forced to play catch up as they found themselves behind 2-nil after 35 minutes.

But Kershaw reduced the deficit in the 38th minute before Williams, playing just her second game since 2019, lit up the Massey University turf with a brilliant tomahawk to level the scores.

Hockeyroos coach Katrina Powell brought in Amy Lawton, Ashlee Wells, Penny Squibb, Maddy Fitzpatrick, Kaitlin Nobbs, Renee Taylor and Williams into the team from the one that drew 1-all on Thursday.

Read more: Century milestone beckons for Kiama's marathon man Martin

Just like in game one, the Hockeyroos found themselves under pressure from the opening pushback.

Jocelyn Bartram pulled off a crucial double save inside the opening minute before the Hockeyroos defence survived a couple of early Black Sticks corners.

The Hockeyroos then had their own share of penalty corners but could not capitalise.

The hosts then went ahead in the 11th minute when Olivia Merry fed the ball into the circle for Kelsey Smith, who with her back to goal managed to steer it past Bartram.

A well-worked build-up from Lawton and Brooke Peris saw the ball find its way to Courtney Schonell but she could not send her effort beyond Black Sticks goalkeeper Georgia Barnett.

Trailing by the solitary goal at halftime, the Hockeyroos suffocated the Black Sticks in their own half in the early stages of the third quarter.

But the Hockeyroos were dealt a sucker punch when a Steph Dickins drag-flick crept through the legs of Ashlee Wells who started in goal in the second half.

Read more: Group Seven teams up with Mental Health Movement to pass on vital skills

The Hockeyroos then showed great character as some sublime skill cut the deficit three minutes later.

Some fancy stick work to the right of the circle from Savannah Fitzpatrick, who started the move inside her own half, saw the ball come to Williams.

With her back to goal, Williams dragged left and right until she picked out Kershaw with a clever reverse stick pass and the talented midfielder took a touch before instinctively rocketing a tomahawk past New Zealand keeper Georgia Barnett.

Fittingly it was Williams, a proud Aboriginal woman, who would score a stunning tomahawk to equalise with five minutes to go on a night the Hockeyroos wore their Indigenous uniform to celebrate and raise awareness for National Reconciliation Week.

The teams will have a day off on Saturday before renewing hostilities in front of an expected sellout crowd in Palmerston North on Sunday.