Match Preview (R13): Steel v Pulse
TEAM NEWS:
That their unbeaten run remains intact speaks volumes of the depth within the ranks of the Ascot Park Hotel Southern Steel squad and the passion their players can produce.
They barely missed a beat in the penultimate round despite missing so many of their frontline players and coach Reinga Bloxham will take some confidence in the way her side came together in testing circumstances.
But Te Wananga o Raukawa Pulse poses a sterner challenge and they will be out to cement their Finals Series berth with a win over the Steel.
Bloxham said the recovery of some of their key players injured in the road accident in Christchurch would be monitored on a “day-by-day basis” by Steel management.
“We’ve got the depth now and we’ve seen that out on court (against the Silvermoon Tactix) so if we have to keep those players in to cover that’s what we’ll do.”
The Pulse, who has made the finals for the first time, head into the game knowing they will play at home for perhaps their biggest game of the season, and it is also an opportunity to get one over the Steel after losing to the southerners by a disappointing 36 goals in Round 9.
WHO TO WATCH:
Jennifer O’Connell (Steel) – the 19-year-old made the most of her opportunities last week netting 38 from 45 attempts at goal and providing a strong target for her feeders.She has had little court time due to injury but stepped up under pressure and may have earned another start.
Jane Watson (Steel) versus Cathrine Tuivaiti (Pulse) – the Steel keeper was obviously shaken by the off-court events for her side but stepped up as a senior player to win player of the match.Watson leads the league for deflections and faces a tough match-up against an in-form Tuivaiti.
Whitney Souness (Pulse) – Souness has made the wing attack bib her own this season with her speed, drive onto the circle and safe feeds into her shooters.Held her own against Silver Fern Kayla Cullen last week putting in 33 feeds and taking 25 centre pass receives.Also grabbed an intercept and deflection.
HOW TO WATCH:
NZ-based fans can tune into SKY Sport 1 and Radio Sport for all the live action from 7.30pm. International fans (outside NZ) can watch it live on the ANZ Premiership Facebook page.