2026 ANZ Premiership Previews - Round 5

 

Round 5 of the 2026 ANZ Premiership sees important mid-season momentum on the line across the weekend’s three matches. 

The VIP Frames & Trusses Tactix sit top of the ladder after four rounds, while the Stars have continued their strong start to the season to sit second heading into the weekend. 

This weekend also features key milestones, including for GoSweetSpot Mystics midcourter Tayla Earle who will play her 100th ANZ Premiership match. 

Magic v Steel 

Saturday 9 May, Mercury Baypark Arena, Tauranga 

The Avis Magic return home searching for their first win of the 2026 season as they host the Ascot Park Hotel Steel in Tauranga. 

The Steel claimed both meetings between the teams in 2025 and hold a slight overall advantage across the ANZ Premiership era, winning 17 of 26 matches.  

The Magic are coming off a difficult outing against the Stars in Auckland, while the Steel arrive with momentum after defeating the Te Wānanga o Raukawa Pulse in Invercargill last weekend. 

Key points: 

• The Steel sit third on the ladder with three wins from four matches  

• The Magic are chasing their first win of the 2026 season  
  
  

Pulse v Mystics 

Saturday 9 May, Te Rauparaha Arena, Porirua 

The Te Wānanga o Raukawa Pulse host the GoSweetSpot Mystics in a clash between two sides looking to build consistency. 

The teams have split their 28 ANZ Premiership meetings evenly at 14 wins each, though the Mystics have won the last four encounters between the sides.  

The Pulse head into the weekend after a narrow loss to the Steel, while the Mystics are coming off an important win over the Tactix in Auckland. 

Key points: 

• Tayla Earle is set to play her 100th ANZ Premiership match for the Mystics  

• The Pulse have collected two bonus points this season, with all four matches decided by single digits  

• The Mystics are chasing consecutive wins for the first time in 2026  
  
  

Tactix v Stars

Sunday 10 May, Wolfbrook Arena, Christchurch 

The top-of-the-table VIP Frames & Trusses Tactix host the second-placed Stars in Christchurch to close out Round 5. 

The rivalry remains one of the competition’s most even, with both sides winning 13 matches each across their 26 ANZ Premiership meetings.  

The Stars come into the clash following a dominant win over the Magic, while the Tactix will be looking to bounce back after their loss to the Mystics last round. 

Key points: 

• The Tactix sit top of the ANZ Premiership ladder after four rounds  

• The Stars have won three of their opening four matches in 2026  

• The Tactix are on an eight-match home winning streak, the best in club history  

• Stars captain Mila Reuelu-Buchanan recently became just the second player to reach 100 matches for the franchise  

Round 5 at a glance 

• Saturday: Avis Magic v Ascot Park Hotel Steel (Tauranga)  

• Saturday: Te Wānanga o Raukawa Pulse v GoSweetSpot Mystics (Porirua)  

• Sunday: VIP Frames & Trusses Tactix v Stars (Christchurch)  

All matches live and free on TVNZ+