New Zealand has pulled off a massive upset by capturing the Ramsay Shield after beating the Boomers in another tense contest at Vodafone Arena in Melbourne on Wednesday night.

The Tall Blacks had not claimed the shield since the 2001 series between the sides, and after tying the series at 2-2 with the latest win, the New Zealanders were awarded the title - for just the second time - on points differential.

Craig Bradshaw finished with 25 points for the Kiwis and was well backed up by Kirk Penney's 21-point haul.

NBA player Andrew Bogut led the Boomers' score-sheet with 18 points, with Brad Newley chiming in with 14.

Bogut got Australia out of the blocks quickly, connecting on his first three attempts en route to Australia opening up a 20-18 advantage at the first break.

The Boomers extended the lead to seven points midway through the second term, but Tall Blacks star Phill Jones sparked a turnaround for the vistors - who went on a 16-8 run to enter half-time with a 36-35 advantage.

The teams traded baskets to open the third quarter until New Zealand's Ben Hill nailed two three-pointers to give the visitors a sniff of victory, and with one quarter to play the Tall Blacks led 61-54.

The Boomers hit back in the fourth as both sides lifted the intensity a notch, and when Newley knocked one in from the arc late in the term, Australia held a two-point lead.

But the Kiwis responded with aplomb, a devastating 10-0 spurt putting the game beyond reach of the Boomers and giving the Tall Blacks a boost heading into the world championships in August.

New Zealand 79 (C Bradshaw 25 K Penney 21 P Jones 14)
Australia 71 (A Bogut 18 B Newley 14 J Smith 10 R Hinder 10)