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AUSTRALIA's Opals took care of business tonight in Tauranga, beating New Zealand 80-63 - an unflattering and not representative scoreline - to qualify for the Rio Olympics.

The Tall Ferns gave a thoroughly convincing account of themselves and gave Australia its toughest game - in a meaningful match - since the semi final against USA at the FIBA World Championship last year.

Brendan Joyce's young Opals ploughed through all other opposition at that tournament and New Zealand's effort tonight ranked well above what Australia experienced in Turkey.

It leaves Kennedy Kereama's team with justified optimism it can still get to Rio via the qualification tournament.

That is, provided it can play with the same heart and intensity it managed for most of the game after some over-zealous officiating from one of the Kiwi refs sent Suzy Batkovic out early and left Laura Hodges to make up the difference.

Hodges was sensational too. It still irks me how deep she sat in the London Olympics rotation when she could come in again tonight and hit 22 points at 64 per cent, with a couple of assists and five boards.

Batkovic was still tidy for 17 points - the revised stats sheet at the end of the game had her for 15 and Belinda Snell for two she allegedly scored in the third quarter.

(Apart from the fact Australia's 18 points for the period were a Nat Burton free throw, Batkovic, then Batkovic perfectly executing the high-low to Hodges, Hodges to Tess Lavey for three, Batkovic inside, Katie-Rae Ebzery to Hodges, Batkovic in the key, Hodges on the jumper, and Hodges with a jumpshot against the Tall Ferns' press = 18.)

Batkovic's return for her international comeback was 16.5ppg against the Tall Ferns and Lavey also continued to grow in stature with eight points, seven assists, five rebounds and four steals tonight.

"It was a great win," Joyce said and much of how well his Opals played can again be attributed to how well New Zealand also performed.

Micaela Cocks with 21 points at 50 per cent, including four threes, plus seven boards and two steals, was inspirational for her young team which shows a lot of promise.

Yes, veterans such as Nat Taylor and Lisa Wallbutton - who started well but faded - had their moments but Kalani Purcell, Penina Davidson (12 boards), Chevannah Paalvast and Jordan Hunter showed flashes that clearly excited Kereama.

"They played hard and I was very proud of them," he said, a sentiment echoed by Joyce of his team as well.

"We junked some stuff up defensively and that worked for us and might be how we have to play."

Kereama marvelled at Hodges' performance, some of her big shots potential back-breakers.

"Laura Hodges was tremendous for them down the stretch," he said, with nothing but glowing praise for Hodges the player, the person, the Opals captain.

The road ahead will be a tough one for the Tall Ferns but if they can continue to get quality opponents to work against, their run to Rio is far from over.

New Zealand won the boards 39-31 but were undone by 19 turnovers against Australia's pressure.

OCEANIA GOLD: The Opals, back: assistant Damian Cotter, Sara Blicavs, Alice Kunek, Rachel Jarry, Laura Hodges, Nat Burton, Steph Talbot, Belinda Snell, assistant "Lori Jane" - is that a new clothes line Ms Chizik? - coach Brendan Joyce. Front: Tess Madgen, Katie-Rae Ebzery, Tessa Lavey, Suzy Batkovic, Kelly Wilson.

Joyce sang the praises of the experience and leadership Hodges and Batkovic brought to the Oceania challenge.

"They assisted a lot of young players through their first Oceania campaign," he said.

For many of this young group, it won't be their last campaign in the green-and-gold.

Tess Madgen is staking her claim for a Rio gold trek, Ebzery didn't do herself any harm, Stephanie Talbot and Sara Blicavs have had their moments too in the lead-up and series.

Rachel Jarry was important in creating some breathing space and was looking good before running into some foul trouble.

OPALS 80 (Hodges 22, Batkovic 17; Hodges, Batkovic, Lavey 5 rebs; Lavey 7 assts) d TALL FERNS 63 (Cocks 21, Wallbutton 10; Davidson 12 rebs; Purcell 3 assts). Australia wins series 2-0.

EARLIER, Australia won Oceania Gold in the Under-17s as well, beating New Zealand 75-54.

The Aussies only led 48-47 with a period to play but came home powerfully, Jazmin Shelley impressive at the point for 16 points but Eziyoda Magbegor stunning with a 23-point, 16-rebound double.

Don't forget that name. You'll be hearing a lot of it in years to come.

"We knew they were going to have a few different things up their sleeve and we knew they were never going to lie down, they were playing on home soil," Aussie coach Shannon Seebohm told FIBA correspondent Paulo Kennedy.

"Obviously both teams have a lot of pride so we knew they were going to bring it at us. It took us a bit longer to adjust than I would have liked, but we got there in the end.

"It took a little bit longer than we would have liked but I'm really glad we were able to get it together in the fourth quarter. It was a  great learning experience for our girls that you have to be ready coming into big games and hopefully next time we will be.

"Off to Spain, really excited about that and our girls really worked hard and they deserved it, and I know we’re going to work really hard over the next 12 months and give ourselves a chance to be successful there."