2025 ANZ Premiership Previews – Round Three

Take a look at the three match-ups coming in Round 3 of the 2025 ANZ Premiership.

Stars v Pulse, 4pm at Pulman Arena in Auckland

Talking points:

• What injury crisis – the GoMedia Stars belied the odds with a courageous win over the Tactix last week with some stand-out performances.  It’s going to take another massive effort to get one over a wounded Te Wānanga o Raukawa Pulse this week and a number of key match-ups could determine this result.  Look out for shooter Charlie Bell, who dominated last week, take on Silver Fern Kelly Jackson.
  
  
• It was a disconnected Pulse team in Round 2 and they need to bounce back when they take on the Stars – struggling to find links last week which led to a number of errors against the Mystics.  The final pass into shooter Amelia Walmsley often went astray and it is an area they will need to tidy up if they want success in Auckland this time.
  
  
• Stars goal defence Lili Tokaduadua was a revelation for her team last week with five intercepts and taking a big step up in the absence of injured defender Kate Burley.  Tokaduadua played the full 60 minutes and teamed up well with Remi Kamo – the duo should provide the Pulse line plenty to think about.

Final thought:

“The ability to grind it out and show that we’re a 12-person team shows how exciting our depth is.  Our crowd is the eighth player in the room that you don’t necessarily hear on TV and we’re so grateful….hopefully we can sell it out for the Pulse and bring that eighth player.” – Stars captain Maia Wilson talks about the depth in the squad and the importance of home support in a big match against the Pulse.

Magic v Tactix, 4pm at Globox Arena in Hamilton

Talking points:

• Both teams will be disappointed with their efforts last week but it’s the AVIS Magic who are falling into dangerous territory after a second straight loss.  The Magic fell off the pace early on against the Steel last week and never recovered.  They will be unable to gift the VIP Frames and Trusses Tactix the luxury of an early lead if they are to make their mark on the points ladder.
  
  
• Defensively the Tactix failed to pick up ball last week – just three gains in the first three quarters of play – and will be looking to remedy that against the Magic. The final pass into the shooting circle also went amiss at times in a night where captain Erikana Pedersen said they “just didn’t bring it”.  A failure to adjust was highlighted by Pedersen and picking up “scrap ball” another area to work on.
  
  
• The Magic seem to be still looking for their connections through the middle – the confidence they had in midcourt last season is missing and the delivery of ball into the shooting circle is paying the price.  Unforced errors hurt them dearly and coach Mary-Jane Araroa was asking her charges to dig deep.

Final thought:

Desperate for their first points of the season, the Magic will throw everything at this game and with the league’s highest two-point scorers in Ameliaranne Ekenasio (9) and Saviour Tui (6) you can’t write off the hosts in a must-win match.

Steel v Mystics, 7.30pm at MoreFM Arena in Dunedin

Talking points:

• How much better will this Ascot Park Hotel Southern Steel attacking unit get? The new look frontline has made a great start to the season and while it’s hard to go past the accuracy of Aliyah Dunn at shooter, the inclusion of Kimiora Poi in the middle has been immense and her connection with former Tactix team-mate Dunn is troubling the best defenders.  Also watch the progress of young wing attack Serina Daunakamakama who has hardly put a foot wrong so far.
  
  
• Mystics captain Michaela Sokolich-Beatson led the defensive charge through the middle last week with four deflections and two intercepts for her team and a relentless pressure on her opponent.  Her team showed plenty of feeling for the win and continue to build with each outing.
  
  
• Carys Stythe has settled in well to her role with the Steel, picking up an outstanding 13 gains for her side, and takes on her former team-mates this week.  Mystics shooter Donnell Wallam has been the main target in the shooting circle for the defending champions so her match-up with Stythe will be worth the price of admission alone.

Final thought:

The match of the round and the Steel have shown they are here to play.  They showed last week with a record-breaking victory that they mean business, but the Mystics are a different beast and the northerners’ experience must put them in the box seat.  The defending champions are the only unbeaten team in the league and will want to keep their record clean on their first road trip of the season.