The Southern Steel have opened their trans-tasman netball championship campaign with a loss, outclassed 60-44 by the Queensland Firebirds in Invercargill.
Introducing a new generation of young talent, Queensland Firebirds produced a dominant performance, running the Steel ragged in a frenetically-paced match.
Jhaniele Fowler-Reid the home side's best shooter, nailing 20 of 22 attempts on goal.