Unlike the first two games, the Hockeyroos, whose squad features Gerringong's Grace Stewart and Mollymook's Kalindi Commerford, started the stronger and were rewarded when Madison Fitzpatrick struck a well-timed drag-flick in the seventh minute that found its way past Black Sticks goalkeeper Grace O'Hanlon.

At the other end, Hockeyroos goalkeeper Ashlee Wells did well to prevent the Blacksticks from drawing level with a fine save from a penalty corner two minutes before quarter-time.

Rosie Malone and Renee Taylor then forced consecutive saves from O'Hanlon as the Hockeyroos looked to extend their lead.

Read more: Sims earns NSW State of Origin recall

In the 23rd minute, the Black Sticks were level when captain Stacey Michelson threaded a stellar 50 metre hit pass that split the Hockeyroos defence and allowed Julia King to score on the reverse.

The Hockeyroos were almost caught out again when Olivia Merry found herself the beneficiary of another long ball but Olivia Shannon could not guide the ensuing pass into the open goal.

The teams exchanged penalty corners at the start of the third quarter before the Black Sticks enjoyed a period of ascendancy and went in front.

Rachael Lynch, who replaced Wells at half-time, kept out Merry's low drive but Ella Gunson was the first to react from the rebound and knocked the ball into the backboard to make it 2-1 to the hosts.

The Hockeyroos upped the tempo in the last quarter but their cause was not helped when Mariah Williams received a yellow card leaving the Australians with one player less for five minutes.

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

Lynch palmed away a Hope Ralph shot as the Black Sticks looked to land the killer blow with three minutes left.

But the Hockeyroos again showed grit to equalise late on.

Captain for the day Brooke Peris opened up the field with a quality turn allowing Renee Taylor to unload a powerful shot.

O'Hanlon parried it away but Malone was alert to it and showed great desperation to sharply knock the ball home.

Both teams now have it all to play for in the final match of the series on Tuesday.