2023 Round 2 ANZ Premiership Preview
We take a look at all four match-ups coming up in Round 2 of the ANZ Premiership.
Saturday, 11 March
Magic v Stars, 4.10pm at Trustpower Arena in Tauranga
The Avis Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic look a different unit this year – not in personnel but in the connections that are growing which was evident in a narrow defeat in round one. New captain Ameliaranne Ekenasio wants to see them build from that first-up performance when they take on the Robinhood Stars at home in Tauranga.
“We’ve still got so much room to grow so I’m really happy, she said.” The goal attack said it was key they still needed to learn what to do in the critical moments and when they had to score.
“It’s always important that we learn to build from game to game but we’re also going home which is a really nice feel for us.”
Coach Mary-Jane Araroa got an improved attacking performance in the second half against the Pulse last week with a few tweaks and she must now consider whether she starts with Georgie Edgecombe on the wing and plays Ekenasio at goal shoot with Bailey Mes at goal attack.
Stars coach Kiri Wills also has plenty to ponder, particularly on defence, after a six-goal loss to the Tactix where she tested a number of combinations. Kelera Nawai-Caucau made her Stars debut and teamed up well with Elle Temu in the defensive circle. But Holly Fowler also added something special when she was injected into the circle and may be an option against a mobile Magic shooting duo.
Pulse v Steel, 7.15pm at TSB Arena in Wellington
The Ascot Park Hotel Southern Steel will not dwell on their hefty first-round loss to the Mystics with midcourter Kate Heffernan keen to build on the positives when they head to Wellington to take on Te Wānanga o Raukawa Pulse.
They will also be hoping to have experienced defender and captain Te Huinga Reo Selby-Rickit back on court after being ruled out of the opening weekend with a calf niggle. The side could use her steadying presence and should the Steel stalwart take the court she will celebrate her 200th national league game.
Little went right for the southerners in a season opener they’d prefer to forget, producing their lowest score in an ANZ Premiership match.
“It was little mistakes, little disconnections. But we’ll look at (the game) now, look hard and then drop it this week and move onto the next job.”
She was pleased to see a number of new players take their opportunities on court with Jess Allan and Ivari Christie both stepping up.
“We got so many girls out there who haven’t had a lot of ANZ experience so that’s a positive. We’re a lot better than the scoreboard showed so we have to keep building.”
Pulse co-captain Kelly Jury was pleased with the composure her side showed in a one-goal win over the Magic but wants her team to remain “cool, calm and composed” when they had ball in hand.
“We can’t put ourselves under that much pressure again. We need to work on how to lift in those critical moments.”
Sunday, 12 March
Tactix v Mystics, 4.10pm at Christchurch Arena in Christchurch
Expect a ding-dong battle between these two Premiership heavyweights – both teams opening their campaigns with wins.
The MG Mystics made the biggest statement in Round 1 of the ANZ Premiership with a 26-goal first up win. They flexed their defensive muscle, led by Phoenix Karaka who nabbed an intercept and eight deflections, and coach Tia Winikerei has a wealth of options – something they will need to contain Tactix shooters Aliyah Dunn and Te Paea Selby-Rickit.
Grace Nweke was at her best in Round 1 with the Mystics shooter missing just two of her 48 attempts at goal – even getting a cameo in the goal attack bib – but faces one of the toughest defensive duos in Karin Burger and Jane Watson in Christchurch.
Mystics captain Sulu Fitzpatrick said they were happy with the “platform” they had set and were ready to build from there, including using their full bench.
“We want to make sure we are unrelenting in terms of having different combos. We learnt our lesson last year in terms of having one type of game plan.” Fitzpatrick, who also got a small run at wing defence, said the Tactix would be tough at home having set the standard at pre-season.
“They’re strong across the board so we’re looking forward to that match-up.”
Tactix captain Kimiora Poi said they would be searching for “consistency” when the returned to play in front of their home crowd.
She said they were getting enough turnover ball but had to ensure they then scored off their own centre passes.
Monday, 13 March
Stars v Steel, 7.35pm at Pulman Arena in Auckland
Both sides are missing firepower from last season, the Steel still bedding in a new shooting combination following George Fisher’s season-ending injury and Saviour Tui sitting out the opening round while the Stars have a new-look defensive circle to replace Anna Harrison and Kayla Johnson.
Stars midcourter Mila Reuelu-Buchanan said they were missing the “experience and leadership” of Harrison but they still had the players who could step up in her absence.
“We’re still trying to cement that defensive combination – we’ve taken a bit of a toll without Anna Harrison. But we’ve got the girls to really make it happen.”
Reuelu-Buchanan had a productive first up outing against the Tactix last week and despite the loss said she wasn’t concerned about the final result.
“I think we go back to the drawing board, look at what we could have done differently.”
She hoped they could “perform under those pressure moments” in week two and her match-up with Steel centre Kate Heffernan will be one to watch – the speed of Reuelu-Buchanan up against the long reach of Heffernan.