The defender lost both her mother Anne-Marie and father Geoff to illness, prompting her to quit the game for two years and focus on her job as a speech pathologist.

She was coaxed out of retirement this year by injured Diamonds skipper Laura Geitz to play with Queensland Firebirds, and got her reward in front of a sellout Canberra crowd of 3606.

The sister of former Wallabies back rower Hugh McMeniman, the 29-year-old replaced Julie Corletto at goal defence for the second half.

She helped Australia to a 19th straight win and a 13th without defeat this year, the first time Australia has been flawless since 2002.

Her inclusion in Australia's 400th Test was a victory for persistence, having first been selected in the Diamonds squad in 2008 without playing a match.

She was emotional for her family when she first learned of her selection, but on game day she was all business.

"I'm exceptionally proud. It's something I've waited a long time for and hopefully I did an OK job," McMeniman said.

"I think that [parents] was something that went through my mind previously.

"I spoke about that the night I was given my dress, but tonight was really on my job and what I want to be doing."

They're netball's version of the 'Invincibles', and there's little doubt the Diamonds are now the country's most dominant sporting team.

Diamonds coach Lisa Alexander has challenged her side to resist being content, and conquer the world.

"It definitely is [Australia's best team] at the moment, yes. I'm really proud of the girls for that and I'm really proud of the sport," Alexander said.

"We've challenged ourselves not to just be the best netball team, but the best sporting team in the world.

"It's really grasping hold of that idea and taking it to its fullest extent."

Australia's patience, crisp ball movement and defensive pressure proved too much for the world No.3 in completing a 2-0 series win.

It caps off an outstanding year after the Diamonds wrested back the Commonwealth Games title for the first time since 2002 with a rout of New Zealand in the final at Glasgow.

They then stretched their winning streak over arch rivals the Silver Ferns to nine with a 4-0 shutout in the Constellation Cup.

As they did in the 55-37 first Test victory on Sunday, the Diamonds stamped their superiority early by taking a 16-9 lead at quarter time.

Even without injured skipper Laura Geitz, Australia's defence made England work for everything and their goal shooters Caitlyn Bassett and Natalie Medhurst were dominant.

Replacement goalkeeper Sharni Layton was outstanding and forced a host of turnovers, while wing attack Madi Robinson backed up her player of the match display on Sunday with another best-on-court performance.

Australia got off to another fast start and 31-23 at the major break, but England rallied in the third and fourth quarters to move to within five goals.

Australia held its nerve to register a comfortable win, a fitting finale before an end of year break..

It is the second-straight year a netball Test in Canberra has sold out after fans packed AIS Arena to watch Australia beat the Kiwis by a goal last year.

Australia's next major goal is their defence of its world championship crown at Sydney in August next year.

AUSTRALIA 54 (Caitlin Bassett 32-40, Nat Medhurst 19-21, Caitlin Thwaites 3-6) beat England 47 (Jo Harten 29-35, Rachael Dunn 17-18, Kadeen Corbin 1-3) at AIS Arena on Wednesday. Crowd: 3606. Australian win two Test series 2-0.