2022 ANZ Premiership Round 2 Preview
We take a look at all match-ups in Round 2 of the ANZ Premiership.
Saturday, 19 March
Pulse v Mystics at 4.10pm at Te Rauparaha Arena in Porirua
It is going to be a big weekend for Te Wānanga o Raukawa Pulse – missing from action in the opening round, when their match was postponed, and returning to the court for a double-header, their first game against the defending champion MG Mystics side, a side they haven’t beaten since Round 6 in 2020. And they will do so without coach Yvette McCausland-Durie who this week tested positive for Covid.
But they will almost be back to full strength, the only player unavailable is midcourter Maddy Gordon who is still side-lined with a knee injury. The Mystics will also be hoping to be back to full strength after Silver Ferns duo Grace Nweke and Phoenix Karaka, and midcourter Fa’amu Ioane all missed their season opener.
Mystics captain Sulu Fitzpatrick said while the three-goal loss to the Magic in round one was disappointing, they were pleased to have notched up some vital match play with some new faces on board.
“Every time we take the court, we are really grateful. It was a really tough first game, but I think that’s going to be really good for us – we know what it’s like when the personnel changes. We don’t know if we’ll be able to have the same seven every game so that was a good experience for us.”
Sunday, 20 March
Tactix v Stars at 2.10pm at Cowles Stadium in Christchurch
The Trident Homes Tactix don’t have time to lick any wounds with the Robinhood Stars waiting in the wings to inflict more pain. They will be looking to eliminate a high error rate if they are to bounce back from a disappointing 17-goal opening round defeat.
The Tactix will re-visit history when they return to Cowles Stadium for the first time in 20 years and will need to strengthen their defence line having leaked too many goals last week. Captain Kimiora Poi said it was important they played to their strengths and stamped out any “silly basic errors.”
“I think we let ourselves down individually but if we can tweak the little things in our execution that would be good.”
While the Tactix were missing just two players (Kate Lloyd and Vika Koloto) in the opening round, they have a number of players on return-to-play protocols and shooter Ellie Bird is also returning from injury. The Stars will be itching to put their training into action having sat out Round 1 and with experienced connections across the board, pose a real threat to the Tactix.
Having limped out of last year’s finals contention there will no doubt be plenty of intent from a Stars unit which welcomes back Kayla Johnson and Holly Fowler into the fold.
Pulse v Magic at 4.10pm at Te Rauparaha Arena in Porirua
A 14-match losing streak is something Splice Construction Magic captain Sam Winders never wants to experience again. Her new-look team opened the 2022 ANZ Premiership with a three-goal win over the Mystics, ending a string of defeats, but they will have to maintain that intensity if they are to beat Te Wānanga o Raukawa Pulse and net back-to-back wins.
Winders said she was incredibly proud of the players who took to the court in Magic colours, including five debutantes.
“But the first thing I said to my team, especially the new ones, it has been a long time (for the win) so please don’t ever leave me hanging that long again,” she said with a laugh.
The Magic were without Ameliaranne Ekenasio and had limited minutes for Bailey Mes, but Winders said their ability to treasure their possession allowed them to safely work the ball into their makeshift shooting combination. The Magic midcourter said it was now important for her team to keep moving forward.
“We have to keep building but not go away from the stuff that works. Every week if we are trying to recreate something or trying new things, we lose sight of the stuff that works for us.”
Monday, 21 March
Steel v Mystics at 7.15pm at ILT Stadium Southland in Invercargill
The Ascot Park Hotel Southern Steel have set the pace early in the ANZ Premiership with a polished performance in the opening round. English Rose George Fisher was at her best in both shooting accuracy (47 goals from 50 attempts) and her deception within the circle.
Her match-up against Mystics captain Sulu Fitzpatrick (who got six deflections and three rebounds in her first outing for the season) will heat things up in the Deep South at a venue where the northern side has struggled in recent seasons.
Also watch out for Steel recruits Saviour Tui and Kate Burley taking on their former team-mates – both settling in well for their new team last week. Mystics coach Helene Wilson said despite the first-up loss against the Magic, her team had opportunities to grab a victory and will be hoping they can make the most of any chances this week.
“We didn’t quite nail those little things that we needed to get right, so with more training and time together we will. We like to build on our season and this group loves to learn so I’m looking forward to that,” she said.
It will however be the Mystics’ second game of the round and with both matches on the road, their stamina is set to be tested early on.