2023 Season Preview: Pulse

Shooting recruit Joyce Mvula presents the new face in an otherwise familiar attack line for defending champions Te Wānanga o Raukawa Pulse albeit with some positional shuffling for 2023.

Pulse coach Yvette McCausland-Durie is expecting big things from the well-credentialled Mvula, who has fashioned a stellar career internationally with Malawi and in the UK Super League. Taking over from the prolific Aliyah Dunn, she is now confronted with a whole new challenge.

“There are some little points of difference, potentially, for Joyce in that she plays both goal shoot and goal attack, so adds some mobility and a bit more of a moving circle. We’re expecting accuracy, mobility and a high volume,” the coach summarised.

With Mvula pairing up front with Tiana Metuarau (goal attack) and Maddy Gordon likely to slot in at wing attack and Whitney Souness at centre, there’s an air of familiarity but with a slightly new look.

“Even though Whitney, Tiana and Maddy have been in the same team a while, they haven’t played in that order, so there’s lots of combinations and links that we’re working on to build the confidence,” McCausland-Durie said.

“But most importantly, it’s been about having clarity. So, positionally, they understand where they’re playing, we’re working them in that space and committing to it.”

Along with Mvula, the only other out-and-out newcomer to the Pulse ranks is well-performed midcourter Fa’amu Ioane, who has made the move south from the MG Mystics.

“As a specialist wing defence, we think she’s got both the speed and the smarts to be able to create the opportunity for us to get gains. It’s an area that we need to improve on across the court and wing defence is a position that’s a great option for people to get ball.

“She’s just smart, been around a long time, played in the (2017) World Youth Cup with both Tiana and Kelly (Jury), so has got good experience and just a great attitude. She’s really keen to just be playing more.”

Exciting young talent in the form of midcourter Ainsleyana Puleiata, last year’s Synergy Hair Netball League Player of the Year, and defender Parris Mason make the move up from sister team Manawa for 2023, both having had opportunities at ANZ Premiership level previously.

“That has provided the awareness of what it takes to be prepared in a performance environment.

“Because they’ve been around us a lot over the years, they’ve just settled in really, really quickly. They know the style, know all the structures and know what’s required of them, so we’re looking forward to seeing more of them in terms of their playing capacity on court.”

There’s also an expectation of further growth between last year’s impressive in-circle defensive combination of Kristiana Manu’a and ANZ Premiership Player of the Year, Kelly Jury.

“There’s room for improvement in that area. They came through and did a really good job but again we’ve talked with them about the gains. They both offer something different and they’re complimentary of each other and that’s important, but we need more.”

McCausland-Durie is more than happy with the balance across her 10 players with ever-improving teenaged shooter Amelia Walmsley, who has come along in leaps and bounds since earning her first full contract last season, along with Puleiata and Mason, all presenting as viable options.